Section 207.18. Coal exploration permits.

  1.  A coal exploration operation in this state which substantially disturbs the natural land surface shall be conducted in accordance with exploration rules issued by the division. The rules shall include at a minimum the following:

  a.  The requirement that prior to conducting an exploration the person must file with the division a notice of intention to explore describing the exploration area and the period of exploration.

  b.  Provisions for reclamation of the lands disturbed by the exploration in accordance with the environmental performance standards mandated by section 207.7.

  2.  Information submitted to the division pursuant to this section and determined by the division, following consultation with the person submitting the information, to be confidential concerning trade secrets or privileged commercial or financial information which relates to the competitive rights of the person intending to explore the described area shall not be available for public examination.

  3.  A person who conducts coal exploration activities which substantially disturb the natural land surface in violation of this section shall be subject to the provisions of section 207.15.

  4.  An operator shall not remove more than fifty tons of coal pursuant to an exploration permit without the specific written approval of the division.

[C81, §83.18]

C93, §207.18