Department of Natural Resources. Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining

Entity: 720
Entity Type: State Government

Abstract

The Division was originally established in 1955 as the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to prevent the waste of oil and gas, encourage conservation and protect the correlative rights of oil and gas owners. Regulation of oil and gas exploration and development is funded with a levy on Utah oil and gas production. In 1968, the Division of Oil and Gas Conservation was formed as a part of the Department of Natural Resources. In 1975, the Utah Legislature assigned the Division the responsibility for administration of the Mined Land Reclamation Act and it became the Division of Oil, Gas and Mining. The Act's primary function was to "prevent conditions detrimental to the general safety and welfare of the citizens of the state of Utah" that could occur from activities of the mining industry in the state. Permitting and inspection/enforcement procedures ensure proper mine operation and the reclamation of affected lands.

Biography/History Notes

"The mission of the Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining is to regulate the exploration and development of coal, oil and gas, and other minerals in a manner which1) encourages responsible reclamation and development;2) protects correlative rights;3) prevents waste; and4) protects human health and safety, the environment, and the interests of the state and its citizens."

(Mission Statement and History, "About Us," Division of Oil, Gas and Mining website, http://l nux1.ogm.utah.gov/WebStuff/wwwroot/division/aboutus.html; downloaded 26 September 2014.)

Purpose: "Regulate exploration, development, and reclamation related to extraction of coal, oil, and gas, and other mineral resources in a manner which encourages responsible development, protect correlative rights, prevent waste, and protect human health and safety, the environment, and the interests of the state and its citizens."__(From "Capitol Connections" newsletter, volume 1, issue 6, October 1993, page 4.)

"The division is headed by a director who is appointed by the executive director of the Department of Natural Resources with the concurrence of the board of oil, gas, and mining....?"The oil, gas, and mining board has both policy and quasi-judicial functions." (From "State and Local Government in Utah," 1992 ed., page 181.)

Hierarchy

Department of Natural Resources
Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining