Significant is certain

Statewide Planning Goal 5 requires local governments to inventory and protect, among other natural resources, mineral and aggregate resources. In 1996, gravel companies, farmers and the state came to a compromise allowing mining on Willamette Valley agricultural land. That compromise was codified in a Land Conservation and Development Commission rule (OAR 660-023). Specifically, local governments are required to determine whether an aggregate resource site is "significant" before addi ng that site to its inventory. "Significant" is defined by certain quality and quantity determinations set by the Oregon Department of Transportation for sites in the Willamette Valley. Further restrictions are in place if more than 35 percent of the proposed mining area consists of Class I or Class II soils.