reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1503 | Division of Forestry › Section 1503.141 | Wildfire Suppression Payments; Reimbursement for Costs Incurred in Suppression of Fires.

Effective:
September 30, 2021
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 110 - 134th General Assembly
(A) As used in this section, "firefighting agency" and "private fire company" have the same meanings as in section 9.60 of the Revised Code.
(B) Each fiscal year, the director of natural resources or the director's designee shall designate not more than two hundred thousand dollars in the state forest fund created in section 1503.05 of the Revised Code for wildfire suppression payments. The amount designated shall consist only of money credited to the fund from the sale of standing timber taken from state forest lands as set forth in that section.
(C) The director or the director's designee may use money designated for wildfire suppression payments to reimburse firefighting agencies and private fire companies for their costs incurred in the suppression of wildfires in counties within fire protection areas established under section 1503.08 of the Revised Code where there is a state forest or national forest, or portion thereof. The director or the director's designee may provide such reimbursement in additional counties. The director or the director's designee shall provide such reimbursement pursuant to agreements and contracts entered into under section 1503.14 of the Revised Code and in accordance with the following schedule:
(1) For wildfire suppression on private land, an initial seventy-dollar payment to the firefighting agency or private fire company;
(2) For wildfire suppression on land under the administration or care of the department of natural resources or on land that is part of any national forest administered by the United States department of agriculture forest service, an initial one-hundred-dollar payment to the firefighting agency or private fire company;
(3) For any wildfire suppression on land specified in division (C)(1) or (2) of this section lasting more than two hours, an additional payment of thirty-five dollars per hour.
(D) For wildfire suppression, prescribed fire assistance, or emergency response support to federal agencies, the division may reimburse costs in addition to the amounts set forth in division (C) of this section provided those costs are eligible in accordance with an agreement under section 1503.27 of the Revised Code.
Last updated August 5, 2021 at 2:36 PM
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1503 | Division of Forestry › Section 1503.15 | Personal Liability of Forest-Fire Warden or Forest-Fire Investigator.

Effective:
September 14, 2016
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 293 - 131st General Assembly
A forest-fire warden or forest-fire investigator is not personally liable for any act required or authorized under sections 1503.07 to 1503.27 of the Revised Code while acting within the scope of official duties as warden or investigator.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1503 | Division of Forestry › Section 1503.16 | Duty of Owners or Lessees.

Effective:
October 8, 1992
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 167 - 119th General Assembly
Sections 1503.07 to 1503.27 of the Revised Code do not relieve the owners or lessees of lands upon which fires may burn or be started from the duty of extinguishing the fires insofar as it is within their power.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1503 | Division of Forestry › Section 1503.17 | Owner or Lessee Not to Receive Compensation for Extinguishing Fire.

Effective:
October 8, 1992
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 167 - 119th General Assembly
No owner or lessee of land upon which fire may burn or be started and no person during employment with such an owner or lessee shall receive compensation under sections 1503.07 to 1503.27 of the Revised Code for extinguishing fire upon his land or the land to which his interest is attached. No person who is responsible for the spreading of a fire to a woodland, forest, or wild land and no person in his employ may receive compensation for helping to extinguish such fires. If any owner or lessee of land neglects to extinguish such fires, the forest-fire wardens shall provide the necessary means and assistance to extinguish the fires. One-half of the costs of the extinguishment shall be borne by the owner or lessee and shall constitute a lien and be recoverable as a special tax assessed against the property. All moneys thus derived shall be paid into the state treasury to the credit of the general revenue fund.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1503 | Division of Forestry › Section 1503.18 | Kindled Fires.

Effective:
September 14, 2016
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 293 - 131st General Assembly
(A) No person shall kindle a fire upon public land without the written permission of the forest-fire warden having jurisdiction or on land of another without the written permission of the owner or the owner's agent.
(B) No person shall kindle or authorize another to kindle a fire in or near any woodland, brushland, or land containing tree growth or in any place from which the fire is likely to escape unless all leaves, grass, wood, and inflammable material surrounding the place where the fire is kindled have first been removed to a safe distance and all other reasonable precautions have been taken to prevent its escape from control. No fire shall be left until extinguished or safely covered.
(C) Excepting fires kindled in a plowed field, garden, or public highway at a distance of not less than two hundred feet from any woodland, brushland, or field containing dry grass or other inflammable material, no person shall kindle or authorize another to kindle a fire in the open air, outside the limits of any municipal corporation or land controlled by any railroad company, for the purpose of burning wood, brush, weeds, grass, or rubbish of any kind between the hours of six a.m. and six p.m. during the months of March, April, May, October, and November in any year. The chief of the division of forestry may adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to expand the times and places for kindling fires for any affected persons.
(D) The times and places for kindling fires established under division (C) of this section may be restricted or eliminated by executive order of the governor if environmental conditions so warrant.
(E) Fires kindled by improperly disposing of a lighted match, cigar, or other burning or glowing substance are kindled fires within the meaning of this section.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1503 | Division of Forestry › Section 1503.22 | Fire May Be Kindled in Absence of Forest-Fire Warden.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
In the absence of any forest-fire warden to take control of wildfire, any person may kindle a fire at any time on his own land, public land, or the land of another with the consent of the owner or occupant thereof for the purpose of backfiring to protect property from the threatened and immediate injury of a wildfire.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1503 | Division of Forestry › Section 1503.23 | Disposition of Fines.

Effective:
October 20, 1994
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 182 - 120th General Assembly
Notwithstanding any other section of the Revised Code relating to the distribution or crediting of fines for violations of the Revised Code, all fines imposed under section 1503.99 of the Revised Code shall be paid to the treasurer of state and deposited in the state forest fund created in section 1503.05 of the Revised Code.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1503 | Division of Forestry › Section 1503.27 | Agreement With Federal Government.

Effective:
October 8, 1992
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 167 - 119th General Assembly
The chief of the division of forestry may take such action as is necessary to provide for the prevention and control of forest fires in groups of districts and, with the approval of the director of natural resources, may enter into an agreement with the secretary of agriculture of the United States under authority of the act of congress of March 1, 1911, 36 Stat. 961, or acts amendatory or supplementary thereto or others having a similar purpose, for the protection of forested watersheds of navigable streams in this state.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1503 | Division of Forestry › Section 1503.271 | Agreements With Federal Government for Forest Management Projects.

Effective:
September 30, 2021
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 110 - 134th General Assembly
The chief of the division of forestry may enter into agreements with the federal government under 16 U.S.C. 2113a or other applicable federal statutes for the purpose of forest management projects, including timber sales.
Last updated September 9, 2021 at 11:53 AM
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1503 | Division of Forestry › Section 1503.32 | Consent of State to Land Acquisition by Federal Forest Service.

Effective:
September 30, 1980
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1237 - 113th General Assembly
Consent of the state is given to the United States department of agriculture forest service and, between May 6, 1902 and March 14, 1980, to any other agency or instrumentality of the United States, for the acquisition, by purchase or gift, of such lands in the state as in the opinion of the federal government may be needed for the establishment, consolidation, and extension of national forests and for flood control and soil conservation work in the state. At the time the forest service begins to negotiate with the owner of land to acquire land in the state, the forest service shall notify in writing the board of county commissioners of the county in which the land is located. Such notice shall include the location and amount of land that the forest service intends to acquire. The board of county commissioners shall publish, in the Ohio newspaper of largest circulation in the county in which the land is located, notice of the intent of the forest service to acquire the land and the location thereof.
The state retains concurrent jurisdiction with the United States over such areas in the matter of service thereon of all civil and criminal process issuing under the authority of the state.
The boundaries of any areas selected under this section shall be first approved by the governor and such other state agencies and departments as he designates.
Last updated September 9, 2021 at 11:47 AM
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1503 | Division of Forestry › Section 1503.33 | Cooperation Among States and With Federal Agencies to Prevent Forest Fires.

Effective:
September 30, 2021
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 110 - 134th General Assembly
In order to further cooperation with other states and with federal agencies, the chief of the division of forestry, with the approval of the director of natural resources, may request assistance and aid from and may provide assistance and aid to other states, groups of states, and federal agencies in the protection of forests from forest fires and may enter into agreements for that purpose. Upon the request of another state, the chief may send to or receive from that state such personnel, equipment, and supplies as may be available and appropriate for use in accordance with the terms of the applicable agreement.
Employees of the department of natural resources and the department of commerce serving outside the state under the terms of an agreement entered into under this section shall be considered as performing services within their regular employment for the purposes of compensation, pension or indemnity fund rights, workers' compensation, and other rights or benefits to which they may be entitled as incidents of their regular employment. Such employees retain personal immunity from civil liability as specified in section 9.86 of the Revised Code.
Last updated August 5, 2021 at 2:37 PM
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1503 | Division of Forestry › Section 1503.34 | Lease Agreements for the Rental of Concessions.

Effective:
October 20, 1994
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 182 - 120th General Assembly
The chief of the division of forestry, with the approval of the director of natural resources, may enter into lease agreements for the rental of concessions or the operation of other lands or facilities located within state-owned forests or on other property under the control and administration of the division. For the purposes of this section, a concessionaire may be any person.
The chief may establish and collect fees for the use of and admission to state forest lands and facilities, the amount of concession rentals, and fees for other special projects on lands and waters under the control and administration of the division and may regulate the sale of tangible objects through contracts between the division and concessionaires. All moneys received as user fees, from concession rentals, and from fees for other special projects shall be paid into the state treasury to the credit of the state forest fund created in section 1503.05 of the Revised Code.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1503 | Division of Forestry › Section 1503.35 | Distribution of Money Received From Sale of National Forest Products.

Effective:
June 30, 2017
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 26 - 132nd General Assembly
The director of natural resources shall distribute money received by the state pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 500 from the sale of national forest timber and other national forest products to the applicable county or counties in which the national forest is situated. Money received by a county under this section shall be used by a county as follows:
(A) Fifty per cent shall be used to maintain county roads and bridges;
(B) Fifty per cent shall be used for the benefit of public schools.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1503 | Division of Forestry › Section 1503.50 | Definitions.

Effective:
January 1, 2016
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 64 - 131st General Assembly
As used in sections 1503.50 to 1503.55 of the Revised Code:
(A) "Conservation" means the wise use and management of natural resources.
(B) "Forestry pollution" means failure to use management or conservation practices in silvicultural operations to abate wind or water erosion of the soil or to abate the degradation of the waters of the state by soil sediment, including attached substances, from silvicultural operations.
(C) "Pollution abatement practice" means any erosion control practice or timber harvest best management practice or procedure and the operation and management associated with it as contained in a timber harvest plan.
(D) "Soil and water conservation district" has the same meaning as in section 940.01 of the Revised Code.
(E) "Timber harvest plan" means a written record, developed or approved by the chief of the division of forestry or the chief's designee that contains implementation schedules and operational procedures for a level of land and water management that will abate wind or water erosion of the soil or abate the degradation of the waters of the state by soil sediment, including attached substances, from silvicultural operations.
(F) "Waters of the state" has the same meaning as in section 903.01 of the Revised Code.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1503 | Division of Forestry › Section 1503.51 | Rules and Regulations.

Effective:
January 1, 2016
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 64 - 131st General Assembly
(A) The chief of the division of forestry shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code that do or comply with all of the following:
(1) Establish technically feasible and economically reasonable standards to achieve a level of management and conservation practices in silvicultural operations that will abate wind or water erosion of the soil or abate the degradation of the waters of the state by soil sediment, including attached substances, from silvicultural operations and establish criteria for determination of the acceptability of such management and conservation practices;
(2) Establish procedures for administration of the rules;
(3) Specify the pollution abatement practices eligible for state cost sharing and determine the conditions for eligibility, the construction standards and specifications, the useful life, the maintenance requirements, and the limits of cost sharing for those practices. Eligible practices shall be limited to practices that address silvicultural operations, that require expenditures that are likely to exceed the economic returns to the owner or operator of a silvicultural operation, and that abate soil erosion or degradation of the waters of the state by soil sediment, including attached substances, from silvicultural operations.
(B) The chief or the chief's designee shall do all of the following:
(1) Issue orders requiring compliance with a rule adopted under this section. Before the chief or the chief's designee issues an order, the chief or the chief's designee shall afford the person an adjudication hearing under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code. The chief or the chief's designee may require in an order that a person who has caused forestry pollution by failure to comply with the standards established in rules adopted under this section operate under a timber harvest plan approved by the chief or the chief's designee under this section. An order shall be issued in writing and contain a finding by the chief or the chief's designee of the facts on which the order is based and the standard that is not being met.
(2) Periodically monitor the use and effectiveness of management and conservation practices conducted in accordance with standards established in rules adopted under division (A)(1) of this section;
(3) Assist in expediting state responsibilities for watershed development and other natural resource conservation works of improvement;
(4) When necessary for the purposes of sections 1503.50 to 1503.55 of the Revised Code, develop or approve timber harvest plans.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1503 | Division of Forestry › Section 1503.52 | Operation Under Timber Harvest Plans.

Effective:
January 1, 2016
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 64 - 131st General Assembly
(A) A person who owns or operates a silviculture operation may develop and operate under a timber harvest plan approved by the chief of the division of forestry or the chief's designee under section 1503.51 of the Revised Code or by the supervisors of the applicable soil and water conservation district under section 940.06 of the Revised Code.
(B) Any person who wishes to make a complaint regarding nuisances involving forestry pollution may do so orally or by submitting a written, signed, and dated complaint to the chief or the chief's designee. After receiving an oral complaint, the chief or the chief's designee may cause an investigation to be conducted to determine whether forestry pollution has occurred or is imminent. After receiving a written, signed, and dated complaint, the chief or the chief's designee shall cause such an investigation to be conducted.
(C) In a private civil action for nuisances involving forestry pollution, it is an affirmative defense if the person owning, operating, or otherwise responsible for a silvicultural operation is operating under and in substantial compliance with an approved timber harvest plan developed under division (A) of this section, with a timber harvest plan developed by the chief or the chief's designee under section 1503.51 of the Revised Code or by the supervisors of the applicable soil and water conservation district under section 940.06 of the Revised Code, or with a timber harvest plan required by an order issued by the chief or the chief's designee under division (B)(1) of section 1503.51 of the Revised Code. Nothing in this section is in derogation of the authority granted to the chief or the chief's designee in 1503.51 of the Revised Code.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1503 | Division of Forestry › Section 1503.53 | Confidentiality.

Effective:
January 1, 2016
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 64 - 131st General Assembly
(A) Except as provided in division (B) of this section, the chief of the division of forestry, an employee of the division of forestry, the supervisors of a soil and water conservation district, an employee of a district, and a contractor of the division or a district shall not disclose either of the following:
(1) Information, including data from geographic information systems and global positioning systems, provided by a person who owns or operates a silvicultural operation that is operated under a timber harvest plan;
(2) Information gathered as a result of an inspection to determine whether the person who owns or operates the operation is in compliance with a timber harvest plan.
(B) The chief or the supervisors of a district may release or disclose information specified in division (A)(1) or (2) of this section to a person or a federal, state, or local agency working in cooperation with the chief or the supervisors in the development of a timber harvest plan or an inspection to determine compliance with such a plan if the chief or supervisors determine that the person or federal, state, or local agency will not subsequently disclose the information to another person.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1503 | Division of Forestry › Section 1503.54 | Violations; Remedies.

Effective:
January 1, 2016
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 64 - 131st General Assembly
(A)(1) No person shall recklessly fail to comply with an order of the chief of the division of forestry or the chief's designee issued under section 1503.51 of the Revised Code.
(2) In addition to the remedies provided and irrespective of whether an adequate remedy at law exists, the chief may apply to the court of common pleas in the county where a violation of a standard established in rules adopted under section 1503.51 of the Revised Code causes forestry pollution for an order to compel the violator to cease the violation and to remove the pollutant or to comply with the rules adopted under that section, as appropriate.
(3) In addition to the remedies provided and irrespective of whether an adequate remedy at law exists, whenever the chief officially determines that an emergency exists because of forestry pollution, the chief may issue an order, without notice or hearing, stating the existence of the emergency and requiring that action be taken that is necessary to address the emergency. The order shall be effective immediately.
A person to whom the order is issued shall comply with the order immediately, but on application to the chief shall be afforded an adjudication hearing in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code as soon as possible, but not later than twenty days after the chief's receipt of the application. Following the hearing, the chief shall continue the order in effect, revoke it, or modify it. The order may be appealed in accordance with section 119.12 of the Revised Code. An emergency order shall not remain in effect for more than sixty days after its issuance.
If a person to whom an order is issued does not comply with the order within a reasonable period of time as determined by the chief, the chief or the chief's designee may enter on private or public lands to investigate and take action to mitigate, minimize, remove, or abate the conditions that are the subject of the order.
(B) The attorney general, upon the written request of the chief, shall bring appropriate legal action in Franklin county against any person who fails to comply with an order of the chief or the chief's designee issued under section 1503.51 of the Revised Code.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1503 | Division of Forestry › Section 1503.55 | Forestry Pollution Abatement Fund.

Effective:
January 1, 2016
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 64 - 131st General Assembly
(A) There is hereby created in the state treasury the forestry pollution abatement fund, which shall be administered by the chief of the division of forestry.
(B) The fund may be used to pay costs incurred under all of the following:
(1) Rules adopted under division (A)(3) of section 1503.51 of the Revised Code;
(2) Division (B)(2) of section 1503.51 of the Revised Code;
(3) Division (A)(3) of section 1503.54 of the Revised Code in investigating, mitigating, minimizing, removing, or abating any pollution of the waters of the state caused by forestry pollution that requires emergency action to protect public health.
(C) Any person responsible for causing or allowing forestry pollution or an unauthorized release, spill, or discharge is liable to the chief for any costs incurred by the chief in investigating, mitigating, minimizing, removing, or abating the forestry pollution or release, spill, or discharge regardless of whether those costs were paid from the forestry pollution abatement fund or any other fund of the division. Upon the request of the chief, the attorney general shall bring a civil action against the responsible person to recover those costs. Money recovered under this section shall be credited to the forestry pollution abatement fund.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1503 | Division of Forestry › Section 1503.99 | Penalty.

Effective:
January 1, 2016
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 64 - 131st General Assembly
(A) Whoever violates section 1503.01 or 1503.12 of the Revised Code is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(B) Whoever violates section 1503.18 or 1503.43 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
(C) Whoever violates division (A) of section 1503.54 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree. Each day of violation is a separate offense. In addition to the penalty provided in this division, the sentencing court may assess damages in an amount equal to the costs of reclaiming, restoring, or otherwise repairing any damage to public or private property caused by any violation of division (A) of section 1503.54 of the Revised Code. All fines and moneys assessed as damages under this section shall be credited to the forestry pollution abatement fund created in section 1503.55 of the Revised Code.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1504 | Office of Real Estate and Land Management › Section 1504.01 | Office of Real Estate and Land Management; Creation.

Effective:
September 14, 2016
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 293 - 131st General Assembly
There is hereby created in the department of natural resources the office of real estate and land management. The director of natural resources shall appoint a chief to administer the office. The chief shall act as the director's designee and carry out the duties of the chief on behalf of the director. Subject to the approval of the director, the chief shall employ assistants and other employees as necessary to execute the duties of the office as prescribed by this chapter.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1504 | Office of Real Estate and Land Management › Section 1504.02 | Duties.

Effective:
September 29, 2017
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly
(A) The office of real estate and land management shall do all of the following:
(1) Except as otherwise provided in the Revised Code, coordinate and conduct all real estate functions for the department of natural resources, including acquiring land by purchase, lease, gift, devise, bequest, appropriation, or otherwise; administering grants through sales, leases, exchanges, easements, and licenses; performing inventories of land; and performing other related general management duties;
(2) Cooperate with federal agencies and political subdivisions in administering federal recreation moneys under the "Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965," 78 Stat. 897, 16 U.S.C. 4601-8, and prepare and distribute the statewide comprehensive outdoor recreation plan;
(3) Prepare special studies and execute any other duties, functions, and responsibilities requested by the director of natural resources;
(4) Administer the real estate services associated with canal lands on behalf of the director under Chapter 1520. of the Revised Code.
(B) The office may do any of the following:
(1) Coordinate environmental matters concerning the department and the state as are necessary to comply with the "National Environmental Policy Act of 1969," 83 Stat. 852, 42 U.S.C. 4321, the "Intergovernmental Cooperation Act of 1968," 82 Stat. 1098, 31 U.S.C. 6506, and the "Federal Water Pollution Control Act," 91 Stat. 1566 (1977), 33 U.S.C. 1251, and regulations adopted under those acts;
(2) Survey land;
(3) As considered necessary by the director, administer any state or federally funded grant program that is related to natural resources or recreation;
(4) Coordinate department projects, programs, policies, procedures, and activities with the United States army corps of engineers and other federal agencies;
(5) Coordinate department activities associated with the completion of drainage ditch improvements in accordance with Chapters 6131. and 6133. of the Revised Code.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1504 | Office of Real Estate and Land Management › Section 1504.03 | Surveys and Inspections.

Effective:
September 14, 2016
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 293 - 131st General Assembly
The chief of the office of real estate and land management or an employee of the office may enter upon lands to make surveys and inspections when necessary for the purposes of this chapter. The chief shall provide reasonable notice of any proposed entry to the owner or person in possession of the land to be surveyed or inspected not less than forty-eight hours and not more than thirty days prior to the date of entry. An entry conducted under this section does not constitute trespass.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1505 | Division of Geological Survey › Section 1505.01 | Division of Geological Survey.

Effective:
September 29, 2011
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 153 - 129th General Assembly
The division of geological survey:
(A) Shall collect, study, and interpret all available information pertaining to the geomorphology, stratigraphy, paleontology, mineralogy, and geologic structure of the state and shall publish reports on the same;
(B) Shall collect, study, and interpret all available data pertaining to the origin, distribution, extent, use, and valuation of mineralogical and geological raw materials and natural resources such as: clays, coals, building stones, gypsum, salt, limestones, dolomite, aggregates, sand, gravel, shales, oil, natural gas, brines, molding sands, and other natural substances of use and value, excluding only those pertaining to water usable as such for agricultural, industrial, commercial, and domestic purposes, but not excluding other rock fluids such as natural and artificial brines and oil-well fluids;
(C) Shall make special studies and reports of resources of geological nature within the state that in its discretion are of current or potential economic, environmental, or educational significance or of significance to the health, welfare, and safety of the public;
(D) May examine the technological processes by which mining, quarrying, or other extracting processes may be improved, or by which materials now uneconomical to exploit may be extracted and used commercially for the public welfare;
(E) Shall make, store, catalog, and have available in perpetuity data, maps, diagrams, records, rock cores, samples, profiles, and geologic sections portraying the geological characteristics and topography of the state, both of general nature and of specific localities;
(F) May advise, consult, or collaborate with representatives of agencies of the state, other state governments, or the United States government on problems or issues of a geological nature;
(G) Shall advise, consult, or collaborate with representatives of agencies of the state, other state governments, or the United States government on problems or issues of a geological nature when requested by such an agency or government;
(H) May create custom maps, custom data sets, or other custom products for government agencies, colleges and universities, and persons;
(I) May provide information on the geological nature of the state to government agencies, colleges and universities, and persons.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1505 | Division of Geological Survey › Section 1505.02 | Chief of the Division.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
The chief of the division of geological survey may:
(A) Negotiate and enter into contracts with agencies of the United States government or any other public or private agency or individual for the performance of portions of the prescribed duties of the division or for the prosecution of co-operative projects within the assigned duties of the division;
(B) Receive, in behalf of the state, gifts of specimens, instruments, and equipment, or of published or unpublished documents or manuscripts, or of money in appreciation of services rendered in connection with work of public nature, to enlarge or expedite the prescribed work of the division;
(C) Enter, either in person or by assistants, upon lands, private or public, in the necessary discharge of his prescribed duties.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1505 | Division of Geological Survey › Section 1505.03 | Authority of Chief.

Effective:
May 3, 1990
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 550 - 118th General Assembly
The chief of the division of geological survey may investigate, survey, interpret, and report matters relating to the geological or mineralogical conditions of the state, or technologies pertaining to them, and may accept and retain geological records on a confidential basis, so that industry, commerce, education, public health, and recreation may be advanced.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1505 | Division of Geological Survey › Section 1505.04 | Duty to Keep Well Logs.

Effective:
September 29, 2011
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 153 - 129th General Assembly
(A) Any person, firm, government agency, or corporation who, for hire, or by its own forces for economic use or exploration, drills, bores, or digs within the state a well for the production or extraction of any gas or liquid, excluding only water to be used as such, but including natural or artificial brines and oil-filled waters, or who drills, bores, or digs within the state a well to explore geological formations, shall keep a careful and accurate log of the activity and report the same together with the results of any rock or fluid analyses or of any production or pressure tests in such form as is designated by the division of geological survey to the chief of the division of geological survey.
(B) The division may file such well logs and establish and observe such regulations regarding their availability and use as will meet the legitimate requirements of the owner or lessee of the well. Personnel of the division may examine any such well during its construction to confirm the accuracy of the log and to collect samples of the cores, chips, fluids, gases, or sludge.
(C) No person, firm, agency, or corporation shall fail to keep an accurate log or file a report as required in division (A) of this section.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1505 | Division of Geological Survey › Section 1505.05 | Rules Regarding Fee Schedules.

Effective:
December 19, 2016
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 471 - 131st General Assembly
(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Revised Code to the contrary, the chief of the division of geological survey shall adopt rules under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code that establish a fee schedule for requests for manipulated, interpreted, or analyzed data from the geologic records, data, maps, rock cores, and samples archived by the division. The fee schedule may include the cost of specialized storage requirements, programming, labor, research, retrieval, data manipulation, and copying and mailing of records requested from the archives. In addition, the rules shall establish procedures for the levying and collection of the fees in the fee schedule.
(B) For purposes of divisions (H) and (I) of section 1505.01 of the Revised Code, the chief shall adopt rules under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code that establish a fee schedule to be paid for creating custom maps, custom data sets, and other custom products and for providing geological information of the state. The fee schedule may include the costs of labor, research, analysis, equipment, and technology. In addition, the rules shall establish procedures for the levying and collection of the fees in the fee schedule.
(C) The chief may reduce or waive a fee in a fee schedule established in rules adopted under division (A) or (B) of this section for a student that is enrolled in an institution of higher education.
(D) Any revision to a fee schedule established in rules adopted under division (A) or (B) of this section shall be established in rules adopted under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code. A revision to a fee schedule is subject to approval by the director of natural resources.
(E) All fees collected under this section shall be credited to the geological mapping fund created in section 1505.09 of the Revised Code.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1505 | Division of Geological Survey › Section 1505.06 | Temporary Assistance of State Employees.

Effective:
September 29, 2011
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 153 - 129th General Assembly
The chief of the division of geological survey in the discharge of official duties under sections 1505.01 to 1505.08 of the Revised Code may call to the chief's assistance, temporarily, any engineers or other employees in any state department, or in the Ohio state university, or other educational institutions financed wholly or in part by the state, for the purpose of making studies, surveys, maps, and plans for economic development or geologic hazards projects.
Such engineers and employees shall not receive any additional compensation over that which they receive from the departments by which they are employed, but they shall be reimbursed for their actual necessary expenses incurred while working under the direction of the chief on the projects.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1505 | Division of Geological Survey › Section 1505.07 | Permits and Leases to Take and Remove Sand, Gravel, Stone, and Other Minerals or Substances From and Under Bed of Lake Erie.

Effective:
March 15, 1989
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 70 - 117th General Assembly
Subject to the limitation set forth in section 1505.08 of the Revised Code, the director of natural resources, with the approval of the director of environmental protection, the attorney general, and the governor, may issue permits and make leases to parties making application for permission to take and remove sand, gravel, stone, and other minerals or substances from and under the bed of Lake Erie, either upon a royalty or rental basis, as he determines to be best for the state. Permits shall be issued for terms of not less than one year nor more than ten years, and leases shall be for a term of years or until the economic extraction of the mineral or other substance covered thereby has been completed. Such taking and removal shall be within certain fixed boundaries that do not conflict with the rights of littoral owners. Upon request from the holder of a permit, it shall be canceled, but in the case of any permit or lease, any equipment or buildings owned by the permittee or lessee shall be held as security by the director of natural resources for payment of all rentals or royalties due the state at the time of cancellation.
No person shall remove sand, gravel, stone, or other minerals or substances from and under the bed of Lake Erie without first obtaining a permit or lease therefor from the director.
The director of natural resources may, in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, adopt, amend, and rescind rules for the administration, implementation, and enforcement of this section.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1505 | Division of Geological Survey › Section 1505.08 | Action Not in Conflict.

Effective:
November 2, 1961
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 379 - 104th General Assembly
Any action taken by the chief of the division of geological survey under sections 1505.01 to 1505.08, inclusive, of the Revised Code, shall not be deemed in conflict with certain powers and duties conferred upon and delegated to federal agencies, and to municipal corporations and other state agencies under Section 7 of Article XVIII, Ohio Constitution, or as provided by sections 721.04 to 721.11, inclusive, of the Revised Code.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1505 | Division of Geological Survey › Section 1505.09 | Geological Mapping Fund.

Effective:
September 30, 2021
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 110 - 134th General Assembly
(A) There is hereby created in the state treasury the geological mapping fund, to be administered by the chief of the division of geological survey. Except as provided in division (C) of this section, the fund shall be used for any of the following purposes:
(1) Performing the necessary field, laboratory, and administrative tasks to map and make public reports on the geology, geologic hazards, and energy and mineral resources of the state;
(2) The administration of the oil and gas land management commission created in section 155.31 of the Revised Code;
(3) To award grants to geology departments at state colleges and universities for undergraduate or graduate level research conducted at locations of geological interest in the state. The chief shall award grants at least annually, but at the chief's discretion, may award grants more frequently;
(4) To provide materials such as rock and mineral kits to state elementary and secondary schools to assist students in the study of geology.
(B) The sources of money for the fund shall include all of the following:
(1) The mineral severance tax as specified in section 5749.02 of the Revised Code;
(2) Transfers made to the fund in accordance with section 6111.046 of the Revised Code;
(3) The fees collected under rules adopted under section 1505.05 of the Revised Code.
The chief may seek federal or other money in addition to the mineral severance tax and fees to carry out the purposes of this section. If the chief receives federal money for the purposes of this section, the chief shall deposit that money into the state treasury to the credit of a fund created by the controlling board to carry out those purposes.
Other money received by the chief for the purposes of this section in addition to the mineral severance tax, fees, and federal money shall be credited to the geological mapping fund.
(C) Any money transferred to the geological mapping fund in accordance with section 6111.046 of the Revised Code shall be used by the chiefs of the divisions of mineral resources management, oil and gas resources management, geological survey, and water resources in the department of natural resources for the purpose of executing their duties under sections 6111.043 to 6111.047 of the Revised Code.
Last updated August 5, 2021 at 2:38 PM
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1505 | Division of Geological Survey › Section 1505.10 | Annual Reports.

Effective:
January 1, 2016
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 64 - 131st General Assembly
The director of natural resources or the director's designee shall prepare and publish for public distribution annual reports that shall include all of the following:
(A) A list of the operators of mines, quarries, pits, or other mineral resource extraction operations in this state;
(B) Information on the location of and commodity extracted at each operation;
(C) Information on the employment at each operation;
(D) Information on the tonnage of coal or other minerals extracted at each operation along with the method of extraction;
(E) Information on the production, use, distribution, value, and other facts relative to the mineral resources of the state that may be of public interest.
The director or the director's designee may require the division of mineral resources management to perform the duties required by this section.
Each operator engaged in the extraction of minerals shall submit an accurate and complete annual report, on or before the last day of January each year, to the director or the director's designee on forms provided by the director or the director's designee and containing the information specified in divisions (A) to (E) of this section for the immediately preceding calendar year. The director or the director's designee may use all or portions of the information collected pursuant to this section in preparing the annual report required by section 1561.04 of the Revised Code.
No person shall fail to comply with this section.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1505 | Division of Geological Survey › Section 1505.99 | Penalty.

Effective:
September 29, 2011
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 153 - 129th General Assembly
(A) Whoever violates section 1505.07 of the Revised Code shall be fined not less than one thousand nor more than two thousand dollars on a first offense; on each subsequent offense, the person shall be fined not less than two thousand nor more than five thousand dollars.
(B) Whoever violates section 1505.04 or 1505.10 of the Revised Code shall be fined not less than one hundred nor more than one thousand dollars on a first offense; on each subsequent offense, the person shall be fined not less than one thousand nor more than two thousand dollars. Notwithstanding any section of the Revised Code relating to the distribution or crediting of fines for violations of the Revised Code, all fines imposed under this division shall be paid into the geological mapping fund created in section 1505.09 of the Revised Code.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1506 | Coastal Management › Section 1506.021 | Six Year Limit on Administrative Rules.

Effective:
May 8, 1996
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 119 - 121st General Assembly
Any rule adopted under division (A)(3) of section 1506.02 of the Revised Code shall remain in effect for not more than six years after the effective date of the rule.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1506 | Coastal Management › Section 1506.03 | Determining Consistency of Project or Activity With Policies in Coastal Management Program.

Effective:
October 20, 1994
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 182 - 120th General Assembly
Except as otherwise provided in this section, no project or activity directly affecting the coastal area that is proposed by or subject to the approval of any agency of the state shall be implemented or approved until the director of natural resources has determined that it is consistent with the policies in the coastal management program document. Any agency of the state may develop and adopt a statement of coastal management policies, in which case a determination of consistency shall not be required under this section if the statement of coastal management policies has been approved by the director and the project or activity is in accordance with that statement.