SUBCHAPTER 05C ‑ GEOPHYSICAL EXPLORATION

15A NCAC 05C .0101      DEFINITIONS

(a)  "Department" means the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality in Raleigh, North Carolina.

(b)  "Explorations" means geological, geophysical, and other surveys and investigations, including seismic methods for the discovery and location of oil, gas, or other mineral prospects.

(c)  "Party chief" means the leader of the on-site crew conducting the exploration work for a company that is permitted to conduct such work under this Subchapter.

(d)  "Secretary" means Secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality.

(e)  "Seismic agent" means a North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality representative who shall be responsible for observing and monitoring compliance with the rules and regulations of the Department and the issued permit for geophysical operations.

(f)  "Seismic explorations" means any geophysical exploration method involving the use of explosives and shall include the seismic vibrator method.

(g)  "Seismic vibrator method" means a vibrator device used as an energy source to generate a controlled acoustic wave train.

(h)  "Shooting component" means one explosive charge.

(i)  "Shot" means the use and detonation of Trinitrotoluene (TNT), powder, dynamite, nitroglycerin, each use of the seismic vibrator method, or other explosives.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 113‑391;

Eff. February 1, 1976;

Amended Eff. January 31, 1979;

Readopted Eff. August 1, 1982;

Amended Eff. April 1, 1990;

Readopted Eff. July 1, 2025.