Geology header
Earthquakes

Mineral Land Regulation and Reclamation Program, 2005 Mined Land Reclamation Awards

Outstanding Reclamation - PGE - Property Services, Pelton Pit – 16-0019, Madras, Jefferson County

Contact: Bruce Carroll, (503) 464-8126


Background:


This upland basalt quarry pre-dates the 1972 reclamation laws by at least a decade. The quarry operated as a Grant of Limited Exemption from 1981 through 1989 with 10 acres deemed exempt. A DOGAMI operating permit was first issued for the Pelton Pit in 1989 to allow production in excess of 5,000 cy/year.

PGE acquired the DOGAMI permit in 1993 and completed reclamation in 2005 when the file was closed. This site is located five miles northwest of Madras overlooking the Deschutes River.

The quarry was initially opened as a material source for the Pelton Dam in the early 1960’s. Use of existing topography and the elevation difference between the quary and the river effectively screens the site from the river level.

A 1994 DOGAMI inspection report states the reclamation within the area eligible for exempt status looked “very good.” To supplement the soil material originally on site, PGE imported clean fill to complete reclamation. The fill material was scarified to decompact the material after placement and then seeded in a native grass mixture.

A 2001 DOGAMI inspection report states the on-going backfilling and reclamation have been so successful that the site blends in well with the surrounding area.

At the final inspection 2005, it was noted the revegetated slope within the quarry supported a more vigorous vegetative cover than adjacent undisturbed areas.

The area was successfully reclaimed to grazing pasture land. PGE is being recognized for Outstanding Reclamation for their efforts to reclaim a quarry that was primarily exempt from the reclamation laws.


Return to 2005 MLRR Awards home page

Pelton basalt quarry, near Madras, Jefferson County. Backfilling and revegetation have allowed this area to be reclaimed as pasture land.
Learn more about the DOGAMI Mineral Land Regulation and Reclamation Program



Home | Maps & Publications | Hazards | Permits | Dept Info | Contact Us | Links | Search

Fossils, Minerals & Gems | Hazards | Field Offices | News and Events
Mineral Land Regulation and Reclamation | Oil, Gas and Geothermal
Nature of the Northwest Information Center | State of Oregon website
Job listings from the State of Oregon jobs page

Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries
800 NE Oregon Street #28, Suite 965, Portland, OR 97232-2162
(971) 673-1555, FAX (971) 673-1562
email us at DOGAMI

State of Oregon home Department of Geology and Mineral Industries home Nature of the Northwest icon
Your best source for outdoor recreation and natural resource information, plus the largest selection of maps in the Northwest.