82-1-101. Persons required to comply. (1) A person, firm, or corporation operating individually or through agents within the state of Montana for the purpose of seismic exploration in which exploration entry is made upon the surface estate for the acquisition of geophysical data for any purpose whatsoever, and which person, firm, or corporation either through its own employees or by hiring the services of others operates seismograph crews, as the term is generally known, shall comply with the following provisions of this part; provided, however, that compliance with the provisions of this part by a seismograph crew or its employer shall constitute compliance herewith by that person, firm, or corporation who has engaged the services of such crew or its employer as an independent contractor insofar as the geophysical operations of such crew are concerned.

(2) The board of oil and gas conservation shall adopt rules:

(a) requiring adequate identification of seismic exploration crews operating in this state;

(b) designating areas where seismic exploration and activities may not be allowed; and

(c) regulating the plugging and abandonment of seismic shot holes.