(A) At any time within the period allowed an operator by section 1514.02 of the Revised Code to reclaim an area of land affected by surface or in-stream mining, the operator may file a request, on a form provided by the chief of the division of mineral resources management, for inspection of the area of land upon which the reclamation, other than any required planting, is completed. The request shall include all of the following:

1. (1) The location of the area and number of acres;
2. (2) The permit number;
3. (3) A map showing the location of the acres reclaimed, prepared and certified in accordance with division (A)(11) or (12) of section 1514.02 of the Revised Code, as appropriate. In the case of an in-stream mining operation, the map also shall include, as applicable, the information required under division (A)(18) of section 1514.02 of the Revised Code. The chief shall make an inspection and evaluation of the reclamation of the area of land for which the request was submitted within ninety days after receipt of the request or, if the operator fails to complete the reclamation or file the request as required, as soon as the chief learns of the default. Thereupon, if the chief approves the reclamation, other than any required planting, as meeting the requirements of this chapter, rules adopted thereunder, any orders issued during the mining or reclamation, and the specifications of the plan for mining and reclaiming, the chief shall issue an order to the operator and the operator's surety releasing them from liability for one-half of the total amount of their surety bond on deposit to ensure reclamation for the area upon which reclamation is completed. If the operator has deposited cash, an irrevocable letter of credit, or certificates of deposit in lieu of a surety bond to ensure reclamation, the chief shall issue an order to the operator releasing one-half of the amount so held and promptly shall transmit a certified copy of the order to the treasurer of state. Upon presentation of the order to the treasurer of state by the operator to whom it was issued, or by the operator's authorized agent, the treasurer of state shall deliver to the operator or the operator's authorized agent the cash, irrevocable letter of credit, or certificates of deposit designated in the order. If the chief does not approve the reclamation, other than any required planting, the chief shall notify the operator by certified mail. The notice shall be an order stating the reasons for unacceptability, ordering further actions to be taken, and setting a time limit for compliance. If the operator does not comply with the order within the time limit specified, the chief may order an extension of time for compliance after determining that the operator's noncompliance is for good cause, resulting from developments partially or wholly beyond the operator's control. If the operator complies within the time limit or the extension of time granted for compliance, the chief shall order release of the performance bond in the same manner as in the case of approval of reclamation, other than any required planting, by the chief, and the treasurer of state shall proceed as in that case. If the operator does not comply within the time limit and the chief does not order an extension, or if the chief orders an extension of time and the operator does not comply within the extension of time granted for compliance, the chief shall issue another order declaring that the operator has failed to reclaim and, if the operator's permit has not already expired or been revoked, revoking the operator's permit. The chief shall thereupon proceed under division (C) of this section.

(B) At any time within the period allowed an operator by section 1514.02 of the Revised Code to reclaim an area affected by surface mining, the operator may file a request, on a form provided by the chief, for inspection of the area of land on which all reclamation, including the successful establishment of any required planting, is completed. The request shall include all of the following:

1. (1) The location of the area and number of acres;
2. (2) The permit number;
3. (3) The type and date of any required planting of vegetative cover and the degree of success of growth;
4. (4) A map showing the location of the acres reclaimed, prepared and certified in accordance with division (A)(11) or (12) of section 1514.02 of the Revised Code, as appropriate. In the case of an in-stream mining operation, the map also shall include the information required under division (A)(18) of section 1514.02 of the Revised Code. The chief shall make an inspection and evaluation of the reclamation of the area of land for which the request was submitted within ninety days after receipt of the request or, if the operator fails to complete the reclamation or file the request as required, as soon as the chief learns of the default. Thereupon, if the chief finds that the reclamation meets the requirements of this chapter, rules adopted under it, any orders issued during the mining and reclamation, and the specifications of the plan for mining and reclaiming and decides to release any remaining performance bond on deposit to ensure reclamation of the area on which reclamation is completed, within ten days of completing the inspection and evaluation, the chief shall order release of the remaining performance bond in the same manner as in the case of approval of reclamation other than required planting, and the treasurer of state shall proceed as in that case. If the chief does not approve the reclamation performed by the operator, the chief shall notify the operator by certified mail within ninety days of the filing of the application for inspection or of the date when the chief learns of the default. The notice shall be an order stating the reasons for unacceptability, ordering further actions to be taken, and setting a time limit for compliance. If the operator does not comply with the order within the time limit specified, the chief may order an extension of time for compliance after determining that the operator's noncompliance is for good cause, resulting from developments partially or wholly beyond the operator's control. If the operator complies within the time limit or the extension of time granted for compliance, the chief shall order release of the remaining performance bond in the same manner as in the case of approval of reclamation by the chief, and the treasurer of state shall proceed as in that case. If the operator does not comply within the time limit and the chief does not order an extension, or if the chief orders an extension of time and the operator does not comply within the extension of time granted for compliance, the chief shall issue another order declaring that the operator has failed to reclaim and, if the operator's permit has not already expired or been revoked, revoking the operator's permit. The chief then shall proceed under division (C) of this section.