# IDAPA 20.07.02.100: Section 100. Geophysical Operations

> Idaho · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ID_IDAPA_20_07_02_100

## Section

- **Citation:** IDAPA 20.07.02.100
- **Heading:** Section 100. Geophysical Operations
- **Jurisdiction:** Idaho
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Idaho Administrative Code / IDAPA 20 (Lands, Department of) / Chapter 20.07.02 / Section 100

## Text

01. Permit Required. Before beginning seismic operations, a representative of the client company an d the seismic contractor will meet with Department staff, file an application for a permit to conduct seismic operations , and pay an application fee. No seismic operation may be conducted without a permit. The permit for seismi c operations may be revoked or suspended or the application for the permit denied by the Department for failure t o comply with these rules, the Act, and orders of the Commission or the Department. The Department may revoke, suspend, or deny the application for a seismic permit without a hearing; provided that the seismic contractor will b e given an opportunity for a hearing at the next regularly scheduled Commission meeting. Revocation or suspension o f a permit does not excuse the seismic contractor or client company from properly plugging existing seismic holes bu t does prohibit drilling any more. The application for a permit for seismic operations must include: (7-1-25) a. The proposed route of the seismic line on a topographic or recent air photo base map at a sufficien t scale to show roads, buildings, surface waters, and section, township, and range lines. The map must also sho w additional area as needed for any alternative routing. The alternative routing must be within at least one-half (1/2 ) mile of the proposed route. Reapplication must be made if the final route strays from the proposed route and outsid e the designated alternative routing areas. (7-1-25) b. The proposed energy sources for the seismic operation, such as vibroseis, shot holes, surface shot, or others. (7-1-25) c. The approximate number, depth, and location of seismic holes and the size of the explosive charges. The application must be accompanied by a map with a scale of one inch equaling two (2) miles that show s the depth and location of the shotholes. (7-1-25) d. The name and permanent address of the client company the Department may contact about th e seismic operation. (3-18-22) e
others. (7-1-25) c. The approximate number, depth, and location of seismic holes and the size of the explosive charges. The application must be accompanied by a map with a scale of one inch equaling two (2) miles that show s the depth and location of the shotholes. (7-1-25) d. The name and permanent address of the client company the Department may contact about th e seismic operation. (3-18-22) e. The name, permanent address, and phone number of the seismic contractor and their loca l representative whom the Department may contact about the seismic activity. (7-1-25) f. The name, phone number, and permanent address of the hole plugging contractor, if different fro m the seismic contractor. (3-18-22) g. A detailed description of the hole plugging procedures, and a description of the surface reclamation procedures, if such reclamation is needed. (3-18-22) h. The anticipated starting date of seismic operations. (3-18-22) i. The anticipated completion date of seismic operations, and the anticipated date of any require d reclamation or hole plugging. (3-18-22) j. A description of the identifying mark that will be on the hat or nonmetallic plug used in th e plugging of the seismic hole. (7-1-25) 02. Operating Requirements. All geophysical operations must comply with the following: (7-1-25) a. Vehicles utilized by the permit holder, its agents, or contractors, shall be clearly identified by signs or markings utilizing letters or numbers, or a combination thereof, a minimum of three (3) inches in height and one- half (1/2) inch wide, indicating the name of the permit holder, its agent, or contractor. (7-1-25) b. No seismic source generation from vibroseis, shot holes, surface shot, or other method may b e conducted within two hundred (200) feet of any residence, water well, oil well, gas well, injection well, or other structure without having first secured the express written authority of the owner thereof and the permit holder shall b e responsible for any resulting damages. (7-1-25) c
actor. (7-1-25) b. No seismic source generation from vibroseis, shot holes, surface shot, or other method may b e conducted within two hundred (200) feet of any residence, water well, oil well, gas well, injection well, or other structure without having first secured the express written authority of the owner thereof and the permit holder shall b e responsible for any resulting damages. (7-1-25) c. Written authority from the owner of a residence, water well, oil well, gas well, injection well o r other structure must also be obtained if any explosive charge exceeds the maximum allowable charge within th e scaled distance below: DISTANCE TO STRUCTURE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE CHARGE WEIGHTS (Feet)* (Pounds)* 50 0.5 100 2.0 150 4.5 200 8.0 250 12.0 300 18.0 DISTANCE TO STRUCTURE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE CHARGE WEIGHTS (Feet)* (Pounds)* 350 25.0 * Based upon a charge weight of seventy (70) Foot/Pound½ (7-1-25) d. The maximum allowable charge weight is twenty-five (25) pounds, unless the permit holde r requests and secures the Department’s prior written authorization. (7-1-25) e. All seismic sources placed for detonation shall contain additives to accelerate the biodegradatio n thereof and be handled with due care in accordance with industry standards. Cap leads for any seismic sources tha t fail to detonate shall be buried at least three (3) feet deep. (7-1-25) f. All vegetation cleared to the ground shall be cleared in a competent and workmanlike manner in the exercise of due care. (3-18-22) g. Unless otherwise consented to by the surface owner in writing, permit holder may not cut down any tree measuring six (6) inches or more in diameter, as measured at a height of three (3) feet from the ground surface, unless there are no reasonable alternatives to the removal of such tree(s) available to permit holder. Permit holde r shall compensate surface owner the value of all such trees removed. (7-1-25) h
wise consented to by the surface owner in writing, permit holder may not cut down any tree measuring six (6) inches or more in diameter, as measured at a height of three (3) feet from the ground surface, unless there are no reasonable alternatives to the removal of such tree(s) available to permit holder. Permit holde r shall compensate surface owner the value of all such trees removed. (7-1-25) h. All excessive rutting or soil disturbances shall be repaired or restored to the original condition an d contour to the extent reasonable, unless otherwise agreed to by the permit holder and the surface owner in writing. (3-18-22) i. All fences removed shall be replaced, unless otherwise agreed to by the permit holder and the surface owner in writing. (3-18-22) j. All debris associated with the seismic activity shall be removed and properly disposed. (3-18-22) 03. Bond Required. (3-18-22) a. Before beginning geophysical operations, the geophysical contractor must file and have approve d by the Department a bond of at least ten thousand dollars ($10,000). The Department may increase this bondin g requirement for geophysical contractors based on the amount of potential damage from the contemplated operation . The condition of such bond shall comply with the Act, these rules, and orders of the Commission or the Department . The obligation of the bond shall not be discharged until one (1) year from completion of the survey or until th e geophysical contractor has complied with the Act, these rules, and orders of the Commission or the Department. (7-1-25) b. Persons or other entities who engage in plugging seismic holes and are not a regular full-tim e employee of the seismic company, owner, or operator shall have posted with the Administrator a surety bond in favo r of the Department. Said bond shall be on a form prescribed by the Department and in the amount of five thousan d dollars ($5,000). The condition of the bond shall comply with the Act, these rules, and orders of the Commission o r the Department. (7-1-25) 04
not a regular full-tim e employee of the seismic company, owner, or operator shall have posted with the Administrator a surety bond in favo r of the Department. Said bond shall be on a form prescribed by the Department and in the amount of five thousan d dollars ($5,000). The condition of the bond shall comply with the Act, these rules, and orders of the Commission o r the Department. (7-1-25) 04. Newspaper Notice. Before beginning geophysical operations, the geophysical contractor shal l publish a legal notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the survey will be conducted, statin g the nature and approximate time period of the seismic operations. These requirements do not apply to operation s conducted within a well or by aerial surveys. (7-1-25) 05. Owner and Occupant Notification. No person may conduct seismic operations without the permi t holder having first given notice at least thirty (30) calendar days prior to commencement of field seismic operations , or at the time permission is granted if less than thirty (30) days. (7-1-25) a. The notice shall be in writing and given either personally or by certified United States mail to th e following persons: (3-18-22) i. Surface owners reflected in the tax records of the counties where the lands are located, at th e mailing addresses identified for such surface owners in such records; (3-18-22) ii. Occupants residing on the lands who are not the surface owners, if it can be reasonably ascertained that there are such occupants; and (3-18-22) iii. Owners or operators of oil and gas wells within the seismic survey area, as reflected in Departmen t records. (3-18-22) b. The notice shall contain the following: (3-18-22) i. Name of the person or entity that is conducting the seismic operations; (3-18-22) ii. Proposed location of the seismic operations; and (3-18-22) iii. Approximate date the person or entity proposes to commence seismic operations. (3-18-22) 06. Department Notifications. (3-18-22) a
mic survey area, as reflected in Departmen t records. (3-18-22) b. The notice shall contain the following: (3-18-22) i. Name of the person or entity that is conducting the seismic operations; (3-18-22) ii. Proposed location of the seismic operations; and (3-18-22) iii. Approximate date the person or entity proposes to commence seismic operations. (3-18-22) 06. Department Notifications. (3-18-22) a. The permit holder shall also notify the Department within five (5) business days of th e commencement and completion of each seismic operation. (3-18-22) b. Before beginning geophysical operations other than seismic operations, the geophysical contracto r shall file a notice of intention to do so with the Department. Said notice shall describe the geophysical method to be used and be accompanied by a map of a scale of one (1) inch equals two (2) miles showing the location of the project. (3-18-22) 07. Reports and Notices Required. (3-18-22) a. Activity Report. Upon completion of the seismic activity or at thirty (30) day intervals after th e work has commenced, whichever occurs first, the seismic contractor shall file with the Department a report of th e completion or progress of the seismic project. The final completion report shall be in affidavit form and include a seven and one-half (7.5) - or fifteen (15) minute United States Geological Survey topographic quadrangle map (at a scale of one (1) inch equals two thousand (2,000) feet or one (1) inch equals four thousand (4,000) feet that show s section, township, and range) and the location of each survey so that the shot holes and other potential impacts can b e easily located. The final completion report must also include a statement that all work has been performed in compliance with the application for a permit to perform seismic activity, Section 100 of these rules, and permi t provisions
quals four thousand (4,000) feet that show s section, township, and range) and the location of each survey so that the shot holes and other potential impacts can b e easily located. The final completion report must also include a statement that all work has been performed in compliance with the application for a permit to perform seismic activity, Section 100 of these rules, and permi t provisions. Said maps, applications, and reports will be kept confidential by the Department for a period of one (1 ) year from the date of receipt, subject to the needs of the Department to use them to enforce these rules, the Act, and the orders of the Commission or the Department. Also, surface owners may be advised of the location of seismic line s or seismic holes on their land and of the exploration method used. (7-1-25) b. Plugging Notice. Seismic contractors shall give the Department at least twenty-four (24) hour s advance notice of shothole plugging operations, provided that notice of plugging operations planned for Sunday o r Monday may be given on the previous Friday. (3-18-22) 08. Client-Contractor Responsibility. The client company may be held responsible along with th e seismic contractor for the seismic contractor’s failure to comply with these rules, the Act, and orders of th e Commission or the Department. The hats used in the plugging of seismic holes must be imprinted with the name o f the contractor responsible for the plugging of the hole. (7-1-25) 09. Plugging. Unless the seismic contractor can prove to the satisfaction of the Department that another method will provide better protection to ground water and long-term land stability, seismic shothol e operations must be conducted as follows: (7-1-25) a. When water is used in conjunction with the drilling of seismic shotholes and artesian flow is no t encountered at the surface, seismic holes are to be filled with a high grade bentonite/water slurry mixture
faction of the Department that another method will provide better protection to ground water and long-term land stability, seismic shothol e operations must be conducted as follows: (7-1-25) a. When water is used in conjunction with the drilling of seismic shotholes and artesian flow is no t encountered at the surface, seismic holes are to be filled with a high grade bentonite/water slurry mixture. The slurr y must have a density that is at least four percent (4%) greater than the density of fresh water and a Marsh funne l viscosity of at least sixty (60) seconds per quart. Density and viscosity are to be measured prior to adding cuttings t o the slurry. Cuttings not added to the slurry are to be disposed of per Paragraph 100.09.f. of this rule. Any othe r suitable plugging material commonly used in the industry may be substituted for the bentonite/water slurry if th e physical characteristics of said substitute are comparable to those of the bentonite/water slurry. Between November 1 and May 1, coarse ground bentonite approved by the Department must be used as a plugging material. (7-1-25) b. The hole will be filled with the slurry from the bottom up to a depth of three (3) feet below groun d level. A nonmetallic plug will be set at this depth and the remaining hole will be filled and tamped to the surface wit h cuttings and native soil. (7-1-25) c. When drilling with air and nonartesian water is encountered, the hole shall be plugged with th e slurry mixture, or coarse ground bentonite, as specified in Paragraph 100.09.a. (7-1-25) d. When drilling with air only and in completely dry holes, plugging may be accomplished b y returning the cuttings to the hole, tamping the returned cuttings to the above-referenced depth of three (3) feet belo w ground level, and setting the Permaplug topped with more cuttings and soil as per Paragraph 100.09.b. A small mound will be left over the hole for settling allowance. Auger holes twenty (20) feet or less in depth may be plugge d in this same manner. (7-1-25) e
e accomplished b y returning the cuttings to the hole, tamping the returned cuttings to the above-referenced depth of three (3) feet belo w ground level, and setting the Permaplug topped with more cuttings and soil as per Paragraph 100.09.b. A small mound will be left over the hole for settling allowance. Auger holes twenty (20) feet or less in depth may be plugge d in this same manner. (7-1-25) e. Seismic holes shall be properly plugged and abandoned as soon as practical after the shot has bee n fired and may not be left unplugged for more than thirty (30) days without written approval of the Department. (7-1-25) f. Any slurry, drilling fluid, or cuttings deposited on the surface around the seismic hole will be rake d or otherwise spread out to at least within one (1) inch of the surface, so that the growth of the natural grasses or foliage will not be impaired. (7-1-25) g. The requirements of Paragraphs 100.09.a. through 100.09.f. of this rule may be modified by an y reasonable written agreement between the seismic company and the surface owner. (3-18-22) h. If artesian flow (water flowing at the surface) is encountered in the drilling of any seismic hole, cement will be used to seal off the water flow thereby preventing cross-flow, erosion, and/or contamination o f freshwater supplies. Said holes shall be cemented immediately. (3-18-22) i. After completing the plugging of seismic shot holes and spreading the cuttings as required by thi s rule, the seismic contractor shall record the Global Positioning System (GPS) location of the seismic hole, and th e contractor shall provide the location data to the Department. (7-1-25) 10. Forfeiture of Geophysical Exploration Bond. The Department may forfeit the bond submitte d under Subsection 100.03 of this rule upon failure of the owner or operator to conduct the seismic survey and complet e reclamation in conformance with Section 100 of this rule
ioning System (GPS) location of the seismic hole, and th e contractor shall provide the location data to the Department. (7-1-25) 10. Forfeiture of Geophysical Exploration Bond. The Department may forfeit the bond submitte d under Subsection 100.03 of this rule upon failure of the owner or operator to conduct the seismic survey and complet e reclamation in conformance with Section 100 of this rule. The owner or operator will be given an opportunity t o address compliance issues prior to the Department acting against the bond. (7-1-25) 101. -- 199. (RESERVED) SUBCHAPTER C – DRILLING, WELL TREATMENT, AND PIT PERMITS

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ID_IDAPA_20_07_02_100. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.