312 IAC 25-4-10 General requirements; coal exploration

Sec. 10. (a) General requirements for coal exploration activities shall be as follows: (1) Any person who conducts coal exploration activities for the purpose of determining the location, quantity, or quality of a coal seam shall comply with 312 IAC 25-6-1 through 312 IAC 25-6-4. (2) All exploration holes, wells, or other exposed openings created during exploration must meet the requirements of 312 IAC 25-6-8, 312 IAC 25-6-9, and 312 IAC 25-6-10. (3) Any person desiring to drill exploratory holes to a depth in excess of two hundred (200) feet shall first file a written application for a permit with the division of oil and gas, department of natural resources, consistent with rules promulgated pursuant to IC 14-38-2. (b) Any person who intends to conduct coal exploration by methods other than core drilling or the drilling of boreholes shall, prior to conducting such exploration activities, file an application and obtain the written approval of the director. The application shall include the following: (1) The name, address, and telephone number of the applicant. (2) The name, address, and telephone number of the representative of the applicant who will be present at and responsible for conducting the exploration activities. (3) A brief narrative description of the area in which the applicant intends to conduct coal exploration activity, including quarter, quarter section, township, range, and county of the exploration area. (4) An estimated timetable for conducting and completing each phase of the exploration and reclamation. (5) A description of the measures to be used to comply with the applicable requirements of 312 IAC 25-6-1 through 312 IAC 25-6-4. (6) A United States Geological Survey topographic map of the proposed exploration area at a scale of 1:24,000 or larger, showing: (A) existing and proposed roads and access routes; and (B) existing lakes, ponds, streams, and drainage features. (c) Any person desiring to drill an exploratory hole shall do the following: (1) Meet the applicable performance standards set forth in 312 IAC 25-6-1 through 312 IAC 25-6-4. (2) Notify the director, in writing, on an annual basis that he or she intends to conduct such exploration activity, including: (A) a description of the exploration area; (B) the period of supposed exploration; (C) the practices proposed to be followed to protect the environment from adverse impacts; and (D) the name, address and telephone number of the representative of the person who will be present and responsible for conducting the exploration activities. (3) Keep a record of each hole drilled, including the following: (A) The date drilled. (B) The date plugged. (C) The method of sealing or casing the drill hole. (D) The location of the drill hole. (4) Information recorded pursuant to subdivision (3) shall be retained by the operator for inspection by the department for a period of three (3) years; however, such information shall be treated as confidential and will not be subject to public inspection. (d) The director shall, except as otherwise provided in subsection (c)(4) and section 15 of this rule, place the notices submitted pursuant to subsection (c)(2) on public file and make them available for public inspection and copying.