CHAPTER 9. COAL EXPLORATION

IC 14-34-9
    Chapter 9. Coal Exploration

IC 14-34-9-1
Notice of intention to explore; written permission of director;requirements
    Sec. 1. (a) Subject to subsection (b), before conducting a coalexploration operation the person intending to conduct the operationmust do the following:
        (1) File with the director a notice of intention to explore.
        (2) Demonstrate the ability to comply with the revegetationrequirements of IC 14-34-10-2 concerning all land disturbed.
    (b) A person may not conduct a coal exploration operationwithout the express written permission of the director if, under thecoal exploration operation, the person:
        (1) substantially disturbs the natural land surface; or
        (2) removes more than two hundred fifty (250) tons of coal.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.27.

IC 14-34-9-2
Description of exploration area; period of exploration
    Sec. 2. The notice of intention to explore and the application forwritten permission to explore as required by section 1 of this chaptermust include the following:
        (1) A description of the exploration area.
        (2) The period of supposed exploration.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.27.

IC 14-34-9-3
Rules
    Sec. 3. The commission shall adopt rules to do the following:
        (1) Establish a procedure for application for permission toconduct a coal exploration operation.
        (2) Establish guidelines for granting or denying the application.
        (3) Require that the applicant comply with the requirements ofIC 14-34-10 and IC 14-34-12 for all land disturbed.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.27.

IC 14-34-9-4
Confidential information
    Sec. 4. Information concerning trade secrets or privilegedcommercial or financial information relating to the competitive rightsof the person or entity intending to explore the described area that issubmitted to the director under this chapter is confidential and notavailable for public examination.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.27.

IC 14-34-9-5
Person engaged in coal exploration treated as permittee
    Sec. 5. A person engaged in coal exploration is subject to

IC 14-34-15 and IC 14-34-16 as if the person were a permittee.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.27.

IC 14-34-9-6
Environmental limitations on exploration
    Sec. 6. Coal exploration may not disturb the following:
        (1) Habitats of unique or unusually high value for fish andwildlife and other related environmental values.
        (2) Critical habitats of threatened or endangered species.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.27.