§ 15-58-504 - Exploration operations.
15-58-504. Exploration operations.
(a) Coal exploration operations which substantially disturb the natural land surface shall be conducted in accordance with coal exploration regulations issued by the Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission.
(b) Coal exploration regulations shall provide, at a minimum, that prior to conducting any exploration under this subchapter, any person must file with the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality notice of intention to explore, and that no operator shall remove more than two hundred fifty (250) tons of coal pursuant to an exploration permit without the specific written approval of the department.
(c) Coal exploration operations which substantially disturb the natural land surface in violation of this chapter or in violation of the regulations issued pursuant to this chapter shall be subject to the civil and criminal penalties and enforcement provisions of this chapter.