Stakeholder: Miners, environmental groups, tribes, general public

Describe: Who, What, When, Where, How and Why

Question or Concern: Miners are generally outspoken and in opposition to all regulation of instream or offstream mining.

Key Message 1

Key Message 2

Key Message 3

DEQ is proposing an application fee of $24 for offstream mining small operations to recover costs associated with the application process. Applies to placer and hard rock mining; not suction dredging. Small operations are those that process less than five cubic yards of material per day or less than 1,500 cubic yards per year.

The proposed application fee will affect those applying for a new permit. Existing offstream mining small operations permit holders would not be required to pay the proposed application fee.

The environmental quality commission has statutory authority to adopt program fees proposed by DEQ.

(Oregon Revised Statutes 454.625, 468.020 and 468.065)

Supporting Facts

Supporting Facts

Supporting Facts

Currently, the application fee for offstream mining small operations is $0. None of the costs associated with the application process are being recovered.

There were approximately 200 offstream mining permits in 2004; currently there are approximately 1,200 permits. Almost all of the permittees are small operations.

Offstream mining large operations, those processing 1,500 to 10,000 cubic yards of material per year, pay an application fee of $207. Some of the application review is the same for small operations and large operations.

All general permits have an application fee except for the offstream mining small operations and the 700-PM suction dredge permit. (The 700-PM fees are established in statute and can only be changed by the legislature.)

If adopted, the proposed application fee for offstream mining small operations would become effective Nov. 1, 2013.

DEQ plans to propose the application fee through its rulemaking process.

The proposed fee is based on a fee-for-service model.

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Supporting Fact 1-3