1. A. Persons using explosives in seismic operations shall comply with all applicable local, State, and federal laws and regulations that control the handling or detonation of explosive materials.
2. B. The use of explosives in seismic operations on or in the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries is prohibited.
3. C. Use of explosives shall be conducted by a person licensed to handle explosives under Article 38A, §§28 and 29, Annotated Code of Maryland.
4. D. The use of explosives shall be conducted in a manner not to cause injury to persons, damage to public or private property, adverse impacts on an underground mine, or to bring about any change in the course, current, channel, or availability of ground or surface waters.
5. E. The use of explosive charges on elevated poles as an energy source, referred to as the Poulter method, or with the charges laid on the surface of the ground, is prohibited.
6. F. After explosives are loaded into shotholes, the explosives handler shall keep the loaded holes under surveillance until the charges are detonated.

7. G. Additional safety measures are to be observed as follows:

   1. (1) Explosives in a shothole may not be detonated unless the explosives handler determines that the area is clear and safe to proceed;
   2. (2) Explosives may not be left in a shothole overnight;
   3. (3) Seismic operations that use explosives shall be conducted only during daylight hours, and the Department may impose a more restrictive time period.

8. H. Additional blasting restrictions include the following:

   1. (1) The permittee shall obtain written approval from the Department before blasting within 500 feet of any occupied dwelling, commercial building, school, church, or hospital;
   2. (2) The Department may require a seismographic record of any blast; and
   3. (3) The Department may prohibit blasting in specific areas, if necessary, for public safety.

Authority: Environment Article, §14-103, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: November 25, 1991 (18:23 Md. R. 2487)

Regulation .01B amended effective February 15, 1993 (20:3 Md. R. 258)

Regulation .06E and F amended effective February 15, 1993 (20:3 Md. R. 258)

Regulation .09K amended effective February 15, 1993 (20:3 Md. R. 258)

Regulation .10 amended effective February 15, 1993 (20:3 Md. R. 258)

Regulation .11A—C amended effective February 15, 1993 (20:3 Md. R. 258)

Regulation .12 amended effective February 15, 1993 (20:3 Md. R. 258)

Regulation .14A amended effective February 15, 1993 (20:3 Md. R. 258)

Chapter recodified from COMAR 08.10.01 to COMAR 26.19.01, June 1996