# 405 KAR 16:040: 405 KAR 16:040. Casing and sealing of drilled holes

> Kentucky · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_KAR_T405_C016_R040

## Section

- **Citation:** 405 KAR 16:040
- **Heading:** 405 KAR 16:040. Casing and sealing of drilled holes
- **Jurisdiction:** Kentucky
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Kentucky Administrative Regulations / Title 405 (Energy and Environment Cabinet - Department for Natural Resources) / Chapter 016 / 405 KAR 16:040

## Text

Section 1. General Requirements. Each exploration hole, other drill or borehole, well, or other exposed underground opening shall be cased, sealed, or otherwise managed as approved by the cabinet, as necessary to prevent acid or other toxic drainage from entering ground or surface waters, to minimize disturbance to the prevailing hydrologic balance, and to ensure the safety of people, livestock, fish and wildlife, and machinery in the permit area and adjacent area. If these openings are uncovered or exposed by surface mining activities within the permit area they shall be permanently closed, unless approved for water monitoring, or otherwise managed in a manner approved by the cabinet. Use of a drilled hole or borehole or monitoring well as a water well must meet the provisions of 405 KAR 16:060, Section 7. This section does not apply to holes solely drilled and used for blasting. Section 2. Temporary. Each exploration hole, other drill or boreholes, wells and other exposed underground openings which have been identified in the approved permit application for use to return coal processing waste or water to underground workings, or to be used to monitor ground water conditions, shall be temporarily sealed before use and protected during use by barricades, or fences, or other protective devices approved by the cabinet. These devices shall be periodically inspected and maintained in good operating condition by the person who conducts the surface mining activities. Section 3. Permanent. When no longer needed for monitoring or other use approved by the cabinet upon a finding of no adverse effect, or unless approved for transfer as a water well under 405 KAR 16:060, Section 7, each exploration hole, other drilled hole or borehole, well, and other exposed underground opening shall be capped, sealed, backfilled, or otherwise properly managed, as required by the cabinet, under Section 1 of this administrative regulation and consistent with 30 CFR 75.1711
et upon a finding of no adverse effect, or unless approved for transfer as a water well under 405 KAR 16:060, Section 7, each exploration hole, other drilled hole or borehole, well, and other exposed underground opening shall be capped, sealed, backfilled, or otherwise properly managed, as required by the cabinet, under Section 1 of this administrative regulation and consistent with 30 CFR 75.1711. Permanent closure measures shall be designed to prevent access to the mine workings by people, livestock, fish and wildlife, and machinery, and to keep acid or other toxic drainage from entering ground or surface waters.

## Nearby sections

- [405 KAR 16:001 405 KAR 16:001. Definitions for 405 KAR Chapter 16](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_KAR_T405_C016_R001.md)
- [405 KAR 16:010 405 KAR 16:010. General provisions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_KAR_T405_C016_R010.md)
- [405 KAR 16:020 405 KAR 16:020. Contemporaneous reclamation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_KAR_T405_C016_R020.md)
- [405 KAR 16:030 405 KAR 16:030. Signs and markers](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_KAR_T405_C016_R030.md)
- [405 KAR 16:040 405 KAR 16:040. Casing and sealing of drilled holes](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_KAR_T405_C016_R040.md)
- [405 KAR 16:050 405 KAR 16:050. Topsoil](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_KAR_T405_C016_R050.md)
- [405 KAR 16:060 405 KAR 16:060. General hydrologic requirements](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_KAR_T405_C016_R060.md)
- [405 KAR 16:070 405 KAR 16:070. Water quality standards and effluent limitations](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_KAR_T405_C016_R070.md)
- [405 KAR 16:080 405 KAR 16:080. Diversions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_KAR_T405_C016_R080.md)
- [405 KAR 16:090 405 KAR 16:090. Sedimentation ponds](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_KAR_T405_C016_R090.md)
- [405 KAR 16:100 405 KAR 16:100. Permanent and temporary impoundments](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_KAR_T405_C016_R100.md)
- [405 KAR 16:110 405 KAR 16:110. Surface and groundwater monitoring](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_KAR_T405_C016_R110.md)
- [405 KAR 16:120 405 KAR 16:120. Use of explosives](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_KAR_T405_C016_R120.md)
- [405 KAR 16:130 405 KAR 16:130. Disposal of excess spoil](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_KAR_T405_C016_R130.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_KAR_T405_C016_R040. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.