PURPOSE: This rule sets standards to ensure that registration report forms are held confidential for at least ten years as required in section 256.615, RSMo.

1. (1) Confidentiality of Registration Report Forms. All registration report forms submitted to the division which document the plugging of holes drilled in the exploration for minerals or for geologic data must be held strictly confidential for a period of ten (10) years from the date of submittal. These holes include exploration drill holes for economic and industrial minerals and geologic data but do not include monitoring wells. The person submitting the report or the person for whom the well was drilled may request, in writing, that this information remain confidential for an additional five (5) years and the division shall grant this request. The submittal of this type of registration report form and fee is required within one hundred eighty (180) days of completion of the plugging of the test hole. Upon successful review of the registration report form, which indicates that the hole was plugged according to the rules, a registration number will be sent to the property owner which documents that the hole is plugged according to minimum standards.
2. (2) Since test holes are usually temporary in nature and are required to be plugged quickly after drilling, they are exempted from the certification process.