210 Environmental Geochemistry and Health
We invite presentations on the environmental fate of contaminants and their impact on human and environmental health. Transdisciplinary contributions are encouraged, especially those examining the rock-soil-water-human nexus at all scales with strong public outreach or societal impact.
Tuesday, 21 October 2025
1:30 PM - 5:30 PM
HBGCC, 302A
Value Retention of Mined Lands: Case Studies in Successful Reclamation in Oregon
Paper number: 210-10
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 3:45 PM – 4:00 PM
Authors
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Sarah LewisOregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries, Albany, OR
Abstract
Reclamation of aggregate mining sites is a complex and multifaceted issue crossing administrative, cultural and socio-economic borders. The State of Oregon 1971 Mined Land Reclamation Act requires that mined lands are reclaimed to a secondary beneficial use. The Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) Mineral Land Regulation and Reclamation (MLRR) program oversees the state’s mineral production and works to minimize the acute and long-term impacts of natural resource extraction to human health and the environment. Three case studies of successful reclamation projects in Oregon demonstrate how the consideration of multiple factors including local geology, land use restrictions, public safety concerns, and landowner intentions contribute to successful and diverse reclamation outcomes.
Felsic Enterprises reclaimed their site to commercial/industrial use and constructed modular storage buildings. Confluence Sand & Gravel constructed surface water connections between their excavations and linked them to the main channel of the Willamette River, reclaiming the site to fish and wildlife habitat. Mafic Mountain Quarry reclaimed their site to pastureland, leaving behind excavated slopes to be used as a shooting range backstop. Mined land reclamation in the State of Oregon is not a one-size-fits-all process, but rather a dynamic practice shaped by on-site conditions and administrative goals. These case studies demonstrate how proactive planning, regulatory coordination, and cooperative permittees can turn former aggregate extraction sites into valuable assets for individuals, communities, and ecosystems alike.
Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 57, No. 6
doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-413767
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