020-14 Wyo. Code R. §§ 14-1 - Conducting Exploration by Drilling

(a) Any discoverer conducting exploration by drilling within this State, shall do so in strict compliance with all the provisions of W.S. § 35-11-404(2015) and this Chapter.

(b) The requirements of this Chapter shall apply to exploration by drilling within and outside of the permit area of a surface coal mining and reclamation operation. The requirements of this Chapter shall not apply to backfill wells or coal developmental drilling conducted within five hundred (500) feet of the active mine area.

(c) Prior to any coal exploration by drilling inside a permit area where the drilling is located five hundred (500) feet or more from the active mine area, the developer shall notify the Administrator and adjust the reclamation bond for the coal permit.

(d) Prior to any coal exploration by drilling outside of the permit area of a surface coal mining and reclamation operation, the discoverer shall provide a Drilling Notification and a reclamation bond acceptable to the Administrator.

(e) The Drilling Notification shall be in a form as specified by the Administrator and shall include:

(i) The approximate number and depth of holes to be drilled; and

(ii) A map showing the approximate hole locations within the exploration area.

(f) The Administrator shall review the notification and the bond and shall notify the discoverer in a timely manner, not to exceed sixty (60) day from receipt, whether the drilling is approved or additional information is required.

(g) For the purpose of this Chapter, the discoverer's hole completion and surface restoration plan is a report or information which, if made public, would divulge trade secrets. Upon request by the discoverer, the Director and Administrator shall consider this report or information confidential pursuant to W.S. § 35-11-1101(2015). This shall be deemed a request to hold the information confidential only for five years unless the discoverer justifies a longer period of time.

Notes

020-14 Wyo. Code R. §§ 14-1

Amended, Eff. 4/19/2016. Amended, Eff. 4/26/2023.