Or. Admin. R. 632-020-0010

Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 6, June 1, 2024

Section 632-020-0010 - Definitions

The definitions in ORS 522.005 apply to this rule division. In addition, the following definitions apply:

(1) "Abandonment" means the failure to properly plug and decommission a prospect or geothermal well in accordance with the rules in this division.

(2) "Artesian" means the response of water or fluid under natural pressure, whereby it rises above the level where it was originally encountered.

(3) "Blowout" means an uncontrolled escape of a solid, liquid, or gas.

(4) "Contaminate" means any chemical, ion radionuclide, synthetic organic compound, microorganism, waste or other substance that does not occur naturally in groundwater or that occurs naturally but at a lower concentration.

(5) "Contamination" means introduction of a contaminant.

(6) "Fresh Water" means water that is used, or could be used without extraordinary treatment, for irrigation or domestic purposes as determined by the department.

(7) "Observation Status" means that the department has authorized a geothermal well or prospect well to remain unplugged for a specified and extended period to allow the well to be used to collect information about subsurface conditions.

(8) "Owner" means the person who has the right to drill geothermal wells or prospect wells, or to appropriate the production from a completed geothermal well.

(9) "Permittee" means owner or operator.

(10) "Person" means any individual, corporation, company, association of individuals, joint venture, partnership, receiver, trustee, guardian, executor, administrator, personal representative, applicant; or a state, federal, or local agency that is the subject of legal rights and duties under these regulations.

(11) "Pollution" means contamination or other alteration of the physical, chemical, or biological properties of any waters of the state, including change in temperature, taste, color, turbidity, silt, or odor of the waters, or such radioactive or other substance into any waters of the state that either by itself or in connection with any other substance present, will or can reasonably be expected to create a public nuisance or render such waters harmful, detrimental, or injurious to public health, safety, or welfare, or to domestic, commercial, industrial, agricultural, recreational, or other legitimate beneficial uses or to livestock, wildlife, fish or other aquatic life, or the habitat thereof.

Or. Admin. R. 632-020-0010

GMI 4, f. 7-20-72, ef. 8-1-72; GMI 4-1980, f. & ef. 10-2-80; GMI 1-1983, f. & ef. 9-30-83; GMI 2-1995, f. & cert. ef. 3-10-95; DGMI 1-2010, f. & cert. ef. 6-22-10; DGMI 3-2013, f. & cert. ef. 3-21-13

Stat. Auth.: ORS 522

Stats. Implemented: ORS 522.305