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103I.601 Exploratory boring procedures.

Subdivision 1. Definitions. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following words have the meanings given them.

(b) "Data" includes samples and factual noninterpreted data obtained from exploratory borings and samples including analytical results.

(c) "Parcel" means a government section, fractional section, or government lot.

(d) "Samples" means at least a one-quarter portion of all samples from exploratory borings that are customarily collected by the explorer. When the exploratory borings are being done to explore or prospect for kaolin clay, "samples" means a representative sample of at least two cubic inches of material per foot from exploratory borings of the material that is customarily collected by the explorer.

Subd. 2. License required to make borings. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), a person may not make an exploratory boring without an exploratory borer's license.

(b) An explorer may designate a responsible individual to supervise and oversee the making of exploratory borings. Before an individual supervises or oversees an exploratory boring, the individual must take and pass an examination relating to construction, location, and sealing of exploratory borings. A professional engineer registered under sections 326.02 to 326.15 or a certified professional geologist is not required to take the examination required in this subdivision but must be licensed to make an exploratory boring.

Subd. 3. Notification of project construction. (a) By 30 days before making an exploratory boring, an explorer must register with the commissioner of natural resources and provide a copy of the registration to the commissioner of health. The registration must include:

(1) the identity of the firm, association, or company engaged in exploratory boring; and

(2) the identification of an agent, including the agent's business address.

(b) The commissioner of natural resources may require a bond, security, or other assurance from an explorer if the commissioner of natural resources has reasonable doubts about the explorer's financial ability to comply with requirements of law relating to exploratory boring. The commissioner's determination to require assurance is exempt from the rulemaking provisions of chapter 14 and section 14.386 does not apply.

(c) An explorer shall annually register with the commissioner of natural resources while conducting exploratory boring.

Subd. 4. Map of borings. By ten days before beginning exploratory boring, an explorer must submit to the commissioners of health and natural resources a county road map having a scale of one-half inch equal to one mile, as prepared by the Department of Transportation, showing the location of each proposed exploratory boring to the nearest estimated 40 acre parcel. Exploratory boring that is proposed on the map may not be commenced later than 180 days after submission of the map, unless a new map is submitted.

Subd. 5. Access to drill sites. The commissioners of health, natural resources, and the Pollution Control Agency, the community health board as authorized under section 145A.04, and their officers and employees shall have access to exploratory boring sites to inspect the drill holes, drilling, and sealing of the borings, and to sample ambient air and drilling waters, and to measure the radioactivity of the waste drill cuttings at the drilling site at the time of observation.

Subd. 6. Emergency notification. The explorer must promptly notify the commissioners of health, natural resources, and the Pollution Control Agency, and the authorized agent of the commissioner of health of an occurrence during exploratory boring that has a potential for significant adverse health or environmental effects. The explorer must take reasonable action to minimize the adverse effects.

Subd. 7. Inspection of data before submission. The commissioner of health may, if necessary, inspect data before its submission under section 103I.605. The data examined by the commissioner is not public data before it is submitted under section 103I.605.

Subd. 8. Permanent and temporary sealing procedures. Exploratory borings must be temporarily or permanently sealed according to rules adopted by the commissioner.

Subd. 9. Sealing report. (a) By 30 days after permanent or temporary sealing of an exploratory boring, the explorer must submit a report to the commissioners of health and natural resources.

(b) The report must be on forms provided by the commissioner of health and include:

(1) the location of each drill hole in as large a scale as possible, which is normally prepared as part of the explorer's record;

(2) the type and thickness of overburden and rock encountered;

(3) identification of water bearing formations encountered;

(4) identification of hydrologic conditions encountered;

(5) method of sealing used;

(6) methods of construction and drilling used; and

(7) average scintillometer reading of waste drill cuttings before backfilling of the recirculation pits.

HIST: 1989 c 326 art 3 s 36; 1991 c 228 s 2; 1993 c 113 art 3 s 2; 2004 c 221 s 44

Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes