(P.L.1069, No.214), known as the Coal and Gas Resource
Coordination Act, and the regulations of the department.
(b) Areas underlain by coal.--Prior to the plugging and
abandonment of a well in an area underlain by a workable coal
seam, the well operator or owner shall notify the department and
the coal operator, lessee or owner and submit a plat showing the
location of the well and fixing the date and time plugging will
commence, which shall be not less than three working days, nor
more than 30 days, after the notice is received, to permit
representatives of the persons notified to be present at the
plugging. Notice and the right to be present may be waived by
the department and the coal operator, lessee or owner, but
waiver by the coal operator, lessee or owner shall be in writing
and a copy shall be attached to the notice of abandonment filed
with the department under this section. Whether or not
representatives attend, if the well operator has fully complied
with this section, the well operator may proceed, at the time
fixed, to plug the well in the manner prescribed by regulation
of the department. When plugging has been completed, a
certificate shall be prepared and signed, on a form to be
furnished by the department, by two experienced and qualified
people who participated in the work setting forth the time and
manner in which the well was plugged. One copy of the
certificate shall be mailed to each coal operator, lessee or
owner to whom notice was given by certified mail and another
shall be mailed to the department.
(c) Abandoned wells.--Prior to abandonment of a well, except
an uncompleted bore hole plugged immediately upon suspension of
drilling in an area not underlain by a workable coal seam, the
well operator shall notify the department of the intention to
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