Section 12-4-46. Drilling permits

   (a) Before any well covered by this part may be drilled, the person desiring to drill the well shall apply to the director for a drilling permit, using such forms as the director may prescribe, and shall pay a fee of $25.00 for each permit.

(b) The director shall, within 30 days after the receipt of a properly completed application from any person desiring to drill a well covered by this part, either issue or deny a permit for the well.

(c) In issuing or denying a permit for the drilling of a well covered by this part, the director shall consider the extent to which the proposed well complies with this part, all rules and regulations adopted and promulgated pursuant to this part, or any order under this part.

(d) In issuing a permit for the drilling of any well covered by this part, the director shall specify therein such terms and conditions as he deems necessary to receive the permit and to lawfully operate thereunder. Any permit issued under this Code section shall become final unless the person or persons named therein request in writing a hearing before an administrative law judge appointed by the board no later than 30 days after the issuance of such permit.

(e) The director shall have the power and the authority to revoke a permit for noncompliance with any of the provisions of this part, any rules and regulations promulgated under this part, or the special conditions contained in any permit.

(f) The issuance of a permit under this part in no way indicates a determination by the director as to property or contractual rights of the applicant to drill such a well at the designated location.

Ga. L. 1945, p. 366, § 23; Ga. L. 1975, p. 966, § 9; Ga. L. 1984, p. 398, § 4; Ga. L. 1996, p. 6, § 12.