Scope of chapter

This chapter contains general rules adopted to conserve the natural resources of North Dakota and to prevent pollution of freshwater supplies, to provide for the protection of the environment and public safety, to ensure the optimum recovery of the mineral resource, and the reclamation of all land disturbed by operations regulated by this chapter to a condition consistent with prior land use and productive capacity. Special rules and orders will be issued when required and prevail over general rules, and orders if in conflict. The commission may grant exceptions to this chapter, after due notice and hearing, when such exceptions will result in the prevention of waste and operate in a manner to protect correlative rights.