Requirements for Casing and Sealing of Drilled Holes

PURPOSE: This rule sets forth the requirements for casing and sealing of drilled holes pursuant to sections 444.810 and 444.855.2(10)(iii), RSMo. Editor’s Note: The secretary of state has determined that the publication of this rule in its entirety would be unduly cumbersome or expensive. The entire text of the material referenced has been filed with the secretary of state. This material may be found at the Office of the Secretary of State or at the headquarters of the agency and is available to any interested person at a cost established by state law. (1) General Requirements. Each exploration hole, other drill or borehole, well or other exposed underground opening shall be cased, sealed or otherwise managed, as approved in the permit and plan, to prevent acid or other toxic drainage from entering ground or surface waters, to minimize disturbance to the prevailing hydrologic balance and to ensure the safety of people, livestock, fish and wildlife, and machinery in the mine plan and adjacent area. If these openings are uncovered or exposed by surface mining activities within the permit area, they shall be permanently closed, unless approved for water monitoring or otherwise managed in a manner approved in the permit and plan. Use of a drilled hole or borehole or monitoring well as a water well must meet the provisions of 10 CSR 40-3.040(14) and those of the Wellhead Protection Section, Division of Geology and Land Survey, at 10 CSR 23, Chapter 6. This section does not apply to holes solely drilled and used for blasting. (2) Temporary Casing and Sealing. Each exploration hole, other drill or boreholes, wells and other exposed underground openings which have been identified in the approved permit application to be used to monitor the groundwater conditions shall be temporarily sealed before use and protected during use by barricades, fences or other protective devices approved in the permit and plan. These devices shall be inspected periodically and maintained in good operating condition by the person who conducts the surface mining activities. (3) Permanent Casing and Sealing. When no longer needed for monitoring or other use approved in the permit and plan, upon a finding of no adverse environmental or health or safety effect, or unless approved for transfer as a water well under 10 CSR 40-3.040(14) and those of the Wellhead Protection Section, Division of Geology and Land Survey, at 10 CSR 23, Chapter 6, each exploration hole, other drilled hole or borehole, well and other exposed underground opening shall be capped, sealed, backfilled or otherwise properly managed, as required in the permit and plan under section (1) of this rule and consistent with 30 CFR 75.1711. Permanent closure measures shall be designed to prevent access to the mine workings by people, livestock, fish and wildlife and machinery and to keep acid or other toxic drainage from entering ground or surface waters. AUTHORITY: section 444.530, RSMo Supp. 1999.* Original rule filed Oct. 12, 1979, effective Feb. 11, 1980. Amended: Filed March 21, 2000, effective Oct. 30, 2000. *Original authority: 444.530, RSMo 1971, amended 1983, 1990, 1993, 1995.