[§182-9.5]  Unitization.  Upon motion bythe board or petition filed by any mining lessee, the board, in its discretion,may order such lessees or owners of mineral rights on adjoining properties tocollectively adopt, and operate under, a cooperative or unit plan ofdevelopment, if the board finds that such a plan will prevent the waste of anymineral, increase the ultimate recovery, avoid the drilling, digging, orexcavating of any unnecessary well, or for such other reason that wouldencourage and promote the development of any mineral resource. [L 1978, c 135,§8]