All mineral exploration holes sunk (drilled, driven, bored, or dug) shall be plugged pursuant to the requirements of this section immediately following collection of the geological and geophysical information.
002.01 Any mineral exploration hole permit application must contain a plugging plan to protect against ground water contamination from surface contamination, subsurface contamination, and commingling of aquifer fluids. Such plan shall indicate to the Department the specific procedures and materials to be used for plugging based on the knowledge of the area geology.002.02 Any mineral exploration hole activities affecting land resources of the State shall ensure restoration to a condition consistent with the land use existing prior to the exploration. The restoration shall include, but not be limited to, the following: 002.02A Topsoil to be removed shall be stockpiled for final backfill cover;002.02B Any pits, mud pits, or other disturbances shall be backfilled and graded to blend with the surrounding surface;002.02C If vegetative cover was disturbed or destroyed, an appropriate seed mix shall be used in the first normal period favorable for planting;002.02D If necessary to assure successful revegetation, the drill site area shall be scarified, mulched, and the seed covered, or the permittee shall contract with the local Natural Resources District to provide the assurance of this subsection and subsection 002.02C above; however, the permittee remains responsible for the successful revegetation; and002.02E If necessary, any drill cuttings shall be spread to a depth no greater than one-half inch or buried in an approved disposal pit.135 Neb. Admin. Code, ch. 5, § 002