(1) Mineral and geothermal resource rights in real property owned by any state agency and mineral and geothermal resource rights retained as an interest in lands previously sold, granted or otherwise conveyed by the state or any agency thereof are property of the State of Oregon. Except as provided in ORS 273.785 and 273.787, proceeds therefrom shall accrue to the Common School Fund, and the State Land Board is declared to be the state agency acting for the state in any transaction respecting such mineral and geothermal resource rights.\n(2) In addition to applicable requirements of ORS chapter 522, such mineral and geothermal resource rights shall be subject to exploration permit or lease by the Department of State Lands, in accordance with rules and conditions established by law or adopted by the department.\n(3) Except as provided in ORS 273.787, the mineral and geothermal resource rights shall be retained by the state in the absence of a finding by the State Land Board upon adequate facts presented to it that their sale or exchange is for the purpose of obtaining the greatest benefit for the people of this state, consistent with the conservation of lands under its jurisdiction e facts presented to it that their sale or exchange is for the purpose of obtaining the greatest benefit for the people of this state, consistent with the conservation of lands under its jurisdiction under sound techniques of land management. [1974 c.51 §2; 1975 c.552 §40; 2005 c.60 §2; 2013 c.256 §1]
Oregon Legal Code