(a) The provisions of this section apply when the commissioner finds that the probable total annual production of all of the surface coal mining operations of an applicant or, if the applicant is a subsidiary of another corporation, the applicant's parent corporation and its subsidiaries will not exceed 300,000 tons.

(b) At the written request of an applicant, the commissioner shall

(1) determine, for each applicant or applicant's parent corporation and subsidiaries, as appropriate, the data that may be necessary in order to

(A) evaluate the probable hydrologic consequences of the applicant's surface mining and reclamation operations in the proposed permit area and adjacent areas;

(B) evaluate the results of test borings on core samplings for the proposed permit area;

(C) develop cross-section maps and plans, if required;

(D) fulfill archeological and historic information required by AS 44.37.040(3);

(E) fulfill all requirements that are imposed on the applicant or the applicant's parent corporation and subsidiaries if, under a regulation adopted under authority of this chapter, the applicant or applicant's parent corporation is required to complete a preblasting survey of nearby dwellings or structures and to prepare a report of the survey; and

(F) fulfill requirements applicable to collecting site-specific resources information, producing protection and enhancement plans for fish and wildlife habitats and for subsistence uses of the permit area and adjacent areas, and preparing information and plans for any other environmental values; and

(2) to the maximum extent possible with money appropriated, engage, at no cost to the applicant, a qualified laboratory to collect, analyze, and report the results of the data for the tasks set out in (1)(A) - (F) of this subsection.

(c) The collection and analysis of data under (b)(2) of this section may proceed concurrently with the applicant's development of a reclamation plan.