Wyoming Administrative Code › Agency 020 - Environmental Quality, Dept. of › Sub-Agency 0006 - Land Quality - Coal › Chapter 10 - COAL EXPLORATION › Section 10-2 - General Requirements: Exploration of More than 50 Tons or in an Area Designated as Unsuitable

Current through July 13, 2024
(a) Any person who
				intends to conduct coal exploration outside a permit area and remove more than
				250 tons of coal in the area to be explored or which will take place on lands
				designated as unsuitable for surface mining under Chapter 17 of these rules and
				those protected under Chapter 12, Section
				1(a)(v) of these rules
				shall file an application for a coal mine exploration license with and obtain
				the approval of the Administrator before conducting the exploration.
(b) The application shall include at a
				minimum, the following information:
(i) The
				applicant's name, address, and telephone number;
(ii) The name, address and telephone number
				of the applicant's representative who will be present at, and responsible for,
				conducting the exploration activities;
(iii) A narrative describing the proposed
				exploration area;
(iv) A narrative
				description of the methods and equipment to be used to conduct the exploration
				and reclamation;
(v) An estimated
				timetable for conducting and completing each phase of the exploration and
				reclamation;
(vi) The estimated
				amount of coal to be removed, a description of the methods to be used to
				determine the amount, and a statement explaining why extraction of more than
				250 tons of coal is necessary for exploration;
(vii) A description of historic or cultural
				features or resources listed or known to be eligible for listing on the
				National Register of Historic Places. This shall include a detailed description
				of all archeological and historic resources located within the areas to be
				directly affected by the proposed exploration activities. This shall also
				include any other information which the Administrator may require regarding
				known or possible historic or archeological resources;
(viii) A description of any endangered or
				threatened species listed pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973
				(16
				U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and identified within
				the proposed exploration area;
(ix)
				A description of the measures to be used to comply with Section
				3
				of this Chapter;
(x) The name and
				address of the owner of record of the surface land and of the subsurface
				mineral estate of the area to be explored;
(xi) A map(s) at a scale of 1:24,000 or
				larger, showing the areas of land to be disturbed by the proposed exploration
				and reclamation. The map(s) shall specifically show the location of: existing
				roads, occupied dwellings, topographic and drainage features, bodies of surface
				water, and pipelines; proposed trenches, roads, access routes, and other
				structures to be constructed; proposed land excavations; exploration holes or
				other drill holes or underground openings; excavated earth or waste material
				disposal areas; and critical habitats of any endangered or threatened species
				listed pursuant to the Endangered Species Act;
(xii) If the surface is owned by a person
				other than the applicant, a description of the basis upon which the applicant
				claims the right to enter the area for the purpose of conducting the
				exploration and reclamation; and
(xiii) For any lands designated as unsuitable
				for surface mining under Chapter 17 or listed under Chapter 12, Section
				1(a)(v) of these rules, a
				demonstration that to the extent technologically and economically feasible, the
				proposed exploration activities have been designed to minimize interference
				with the features for which those lands were designated as unsuitable for
				surface coal mining operations or listed under Chapter 12, Section
				1(a)(v). Where applicable,
				the applicant shall document its consultation with the owner of the feature
				causing the land to be designated as unsuitable for surface mining under
				Chapter 17 or listed under Chapter 12, Section
				1(a)(v), as well as the
				applicant's consultation with the agency with primary jurisdiction over that
				feature of the land.