Permitting and hydrogeology represents one of the most fundamental regulatory activities to be conducted by the Division of Mineral Resources Management (DMRM).

Oil and gas well permits are regulated under provisions of Chapter 1509 of the Ohio Revised Code and rules established in Chapter 1501:9 of the Ohio Administrative Code. Permitting of coal and industrial minerals mining is conducted under provisions of Chapters 1513 & 1514 of the Ohio Revised Code, respectively. Additional rules in Chapters 1501:13 and 1501:14 of the Ohio Administrative Code also govern mining permit activities.

DMRM mining permit applications typically require comprehensive reviews involving numerous staff including geologists, environmental specialists, engineers and others. The average time required to review and process a coal permit is typically six (6) months. Conversely, it is mandated by the Ohio Revised Code to complete oil & gas permit reviews within twenty-one (21) days.

This section is responsible for the processing of approximately 2,500 oil and gas permits per year, approximately 100 coal permits or renewals, and approximately 200 industrial minerals permit-related actions, renewals and amendments.

Staff coordinates permitting activities with federal oversight agencies such as the Office of Surface Mining, US EPA and others. They also serve as liaison on permitting and hydrogeology related issues with regulated industry work groups.

Complete environmental review of permit applications requires frequent interaction with all other sections of the division and close contact with divisional field staff. Field environmental specialists are responsible for all site reviews of coal permit application areas. They also provide support to field team operations by conducting civil penalty assessments (CPAs) and informal reviews of CPAs.