1. A coal exploration operation in this state which substantially disturbs the natural land surface shall be conducted in accordance with exploration rules issued by the division. The rules shall include at a minimum the following:

 a. The requirement that prior to conducting an exploration the person must file with the division a notice of intention to explore describing the exploration area and the period of exploration.
 b. Provisions for reclamation of the lands disturbed by the exploration in accordance with the environmental performance standards mandated by section 207.7.

Terms Used In Iowa Code 207.18

  • Division: means the division of soil conservation and water quality created within the department of agriculture and land stewardship pursuant to section 159. See Iowa Code 207.2
  • following: when used by way of reference to a chapter or other part of a statute mean the next preceding or next following chapter or other part. See Iowa Code 4.1
  • Operator: means a person engaged in coal mining who removes or intends to remove more than fifty tons of coal from the earth by coal mining within twelve consecutive calendar months in one location. See Iowa Code 207.2
  • Permit: means a permit to conduct surface coal mining and reclamation operations issued by the division. See Iowa Code 207.2
  • person: means individual, corporation, limited liability company, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership or association, or any other legal entity. See Iowa Code 4.1
  • state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories, and the words "United States" may include the said district and territories. See Iowa Code 4.1
 2. Information submitted to the division pursuant to this section and determined by the division, following consultation with the person submitting the information, to be confidential concerning trade secrets or privileged commercial or financial information which relates to the competitive rights of the person intending to explore the described area shall not be available for public examination.
 3. A person who conducts coal exploration activities which substantially disturb the natural land surface in violation of this section shall be subject to the provisions of section 207.15.
 4. An operator shall not remove more than fifty tons of coal pursuant to an exploration permit without the specific written approval of the division.