[§205-5.3]  Exploratory wells. Notwithstanding section 205-5.1(a), (d), and (e), or any other provision oflaw, any exploratory well drilled for scientific purposes or to determine theeconomic viability of a geothermal resource, may be permitted outside of adesignated geothermal resource subzone, regardless of land use classification,provided that the activity is limited to exploration only.  All applicablestate and county permits shall be required to drill such exploratory wellswhich shall not be exempt from the requirements of the environmental impactstatement law, chapter 343. [L 1990, c 207, §2]