(1) Coal exploration activities which cause substantial disturbance of the natural land surface shall be conducted in accordance with exploration regulations issued by the board. Such regulations shall include, at a minimum:
A requirement that, prior to conducting any exploration under this section, any person must file with the office notice of intention to explore, including a description of the exploration area and the period of supposed exploration; and
Provisions for reclamation in accordance with the performance standards in section34-33-120 of all lands disturbed in exploration, including excavations, roads, drill holes, and the removal of necessary facilities and equipment.
Information submitted to the office pursuant to this section as confidential concerning trade secrets or privileged commercial or financial information which relates to the competitive rights of the person or entity intending to explore the described area shall not be available for public examination.
Any person who conducts any coal exploration activities which cause substantialdisturbance of the natural land surface in violation of this section or regulations issued pursuant to this section shall be subject to the provisions of section 34-33-123.
No operator shall remove more than two hundred fifty tons of coal pursuant to anexploration permit without the specific written approval of the board or office.
The regulations adopted pursuant to this section shall include any additional requirements and provisions which the board deems necessary; except that such regulations shall have a reasonable relation to the purposes and provisions of this article.
Source: L. 79: Entire article added, p. 1271, § 1, effective July 1. L. 92: (1)(a), (2), and (4) amended, p. 1953, § 60, effective July 1.