| (a) A person may not conduct any uranium exploration activity unless the person holds an exploration permit issued by the division. (b) An exploration permit alone does not constitute a right to conduct uranium exploration activity. Inclusion of land within a permit boundary does not constitute authority to conduct uranium exploration activity. Permit boundaries may overlap. (c) An exploration permit constitutes authority from the Commission to conduct uranium exploration activities in those areas covered by the permit for which the permittee has the right of entry for such activities. (d) An exploration permit governs all disturbance of the surface and subsurface associated with determining the location, quantity, or quality of uranium deposits. (e) A uranium exploration permit shall contain provisions to govern: (1) locating, drilling, plugging, and abandoning exploration boreholes; (2) casing exploration boreholes for use in the exploration process; (3) using cased exploration wells for rig supply purposes; and (4) plugging and abandoning cased exploration wells. (f) Except as provided in §11.140 of this title (relating to Commission and Groundwater Conservation District Jurisdiction), a cased exploration well subject to an exploration permit is exempt from regulation by another agency, government entity, or political subdivision if the well is used for exploration or rig supply purposes. (g) A uranium exploration permit shall be valid for a period of 12 months from the date of issuance and may be renewed pursuant to §11.134 of this title (relating to Uranium Exploration Permit Renewal). (h) Upon completion of all exploration activity, each permittee shall renew its uranium exploration permit for an additional permit term or terms until the permittee: (1) properly plugs all exploration boreholes and cased exploration wells and files with the division a plugging affidavit as required by §11.139 of this title (relating to Uranium Exploration Drill Site Plugging and Reporting Requirements); and (2) with respect to all cased exploration wells that are not plugged, either: (A) registers all such wells with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; or (B) includes all such wells in an area permit issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality under Texas Water Code, Chapter 27. |
