(1) No person shall abandon a geothermal well without first obtaining approval of the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries.
(2) A geothermal well shall be considered lawfully abandoned when the operator has conformed to ORS 522.245 and to rules adopted by the governing board of the department designed to:
(a) Protect underground and surface water usable for beneficial purposes from pollution resulting from infiltration or addition of any deleterious substance;
(b) Prevent the escape of all fluids to the surface;
(c) Close the surface aperture of the well; and
(d) Remove all surface equipment except that necessary to maintain permanent closure of the well.
(3) When the operator has violated subsection (1) or (2) of this section or ORS 522.225, or when the department has issued a written disapproval of abandonment, the board may proceed against the operator and surety of the operator as provided for in ORS 522.145 and may bring suit pursuant to ORS 522.810. [1975 c.552 §11; 1981 c.694 §8]
Section: Previous 522.140 522.145 522.150 522.155 522.160 522.165 522.170 522.175 522.180 522.185 522.190 522.195 522.200 522.205 522.210 NextLast modified: August 7, 2008