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<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".06" citation="COMAR 26.04.04.06" title_num="26" subtitle_num="04" chapter_num="04" heading="Emergency Procedure to Obtain a Well Construction Permit.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>The Approving Authority may permit emergency construction of wells for the conditions specified in Regulation .02B(20) of this chapter or for the following types of wells:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Monitoring wells at pollution spill sites to control the spread of the pollution as required by the Department; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Geothermal wells if a loss of heating or cooling poses a health threat or significant loss of goods or livestock.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>If an emergency condition occurs during normal business hours, the Approving Authority may grant an emergency permit in accordance with the following procedures:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The existence of an emergency condition shall be verified by the Approving Authority;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>If the emergency is verified to the satisfaction of the Approving Authority, the Approving Authority may issue a verbal emergency permit number to a master well driller;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The permit number shall be in the possession of the permittee during construction of the well, and shall constitute authorization to construct the well;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The emergency permit shall become null and void if well construction is not started within 2 days after issuance of the emergency permit number; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Within 3 business days after the start of construction of the well, the master well driller shall submit to the Approving Authority a completed, written application, including the emergency permit number.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>If an emergency condition occurs during nonbusiness hours:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The master well driller shall attempt to contact the Approving Authority through the Approving Authority's nonbusiness-hours emergency telephone number;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>If the Approving Authority cannot be contacted, then the well may be constructed without receiving a verbal permit number provided that not later than the first business day following the start of well construction activity, an application is submitted to the Approving Authority; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The Approving Authority shall verify the emergency condition before the issuance of a permit.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Any well constructed under an emergency condition shall be constructed in conformance with all applicable laws and regulations of the Approving Authority.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>If the new well location is found to be unacceptable by the Approving Authority, the well shall be sealed in accordance with this chapter.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>