ILLINOIS REGULATORY PROGRAM

ILLINOIS COMPILED STATUTES
PROFESSIONS AND OCCUPATIONS
SURFACE COAL MINING LAND CONSERVATION AND RECLAMATION ACT.
225 ILCS 720/

ARTICLE V:     COAL EXPLORATION 
Sec. 5.01.     Exploration Rules.                 (225 ILCS 720/5.01) 
Sec. 5.02.     Notice.                            (225 ILCS 720/5.02)
Sec. 5.03.     Approval.                          (225 ILCS 720/5.03)
Sec. 5.04.     Performance Standards.             (225 ILCS 720/5.04)
Sec. 5.05.     Confidential Information.               (225 ILCS 720/5.05) 
Sec. 5.06.     Penalties.                         (225 ILCS 720/5.06)

NOTE:
Cross references to OSM's federal regulations and SMCRA appear in double braces to the right of the Rule or
Section number, e.g., "Sec. 4.06.  VEGETATION.  (225 ILCS 720/4.06)        {{ SMCRA Sec. 516 }}".
The cross references were compiled using the preambles to OSM's approval of amendments to the Illinois regulatory
program published in the Federal Register and from the file of Illinois regulatory material in the COALEX Library in
LexisNexis.

Sec. 5.01.     Exploration Rules.  (225 ILCS 720/5.01)                     {{ SMCRA Sec. 512 }}
This Article applies to coal exploration operations which substantially disturb the natural land surface. Such
operations shall be conducted in accordance with exploration rules adopted by the Department. 
(Source: P.A. 81-1015.) 

Sec. 5.02.     NOTICE.  (225 ILCS 720/5.02)                      {{ SMCRA Sec. 512 }}
The Department's coal exploration rules shall provide that prior to conducting coal exploration operations a notice of
intention to explore shall be filed with the Department. Such notice shall include a description of the exploration area
and the period of proposed exploration. 
(Source: P.A. 81-1015.) 

Sec. 5.03.     APPROVAL.  (225 ILCS 720/5.03)                    {{ SMCRA Sec. 512 }}
The Department's coal exploration rules shall provide that prior to conducting any coal exploration in which at least
250 tons of coal will be removed, prior approval of such exploration shall be obtained from the Department. 
(Source: P.A. 81-1015.) 

Sec. 5.04.     PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.  (225 ILCS 720/5.04)       {{ SMCRA Sec. 512 }}
The Department's coal exploration rules shall require reclamation in accordance with the performance standards in
Article III and IV of all lands disturbed in coal exploration, including excavations, roads, drill holes, and the removal
of necessary facilities and equipment. 
(Source: P.A. 81-1015.) 

Sec. 5.05.     CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.  (225 ILCS 720/5.05)    {{ SMCRA Sec. 512 }}
Information submitted to the Department under this Article as confidential concerning trade secrets or privileged
commercial or financial information which relates to the competitive rights of the person or entity intended to
explore the described area shall not be available for public examination. 
(Source: P.A. 81-1015.)

Sec. 5.06.     PENALTIES.  (225 ILCS 720/5.06)                   {{ SMCRA Sec. 512 }}
Any person who conducts any coal exploration activities which substantially disturb the natural land surface in
violation of this Article shall be subject to the provisions of Section 8.04. 
(Source: P.A. 81-1015.)