Massachusetts General Laws Part I. Administration of the Government (Ch. 1-182) Ch. 21B, § 4

Any person desiring to conduct an exploration for coal in the commonwealth shall file with the commissioner an application for a license to conduct exploration operations for coal. Each application for said exploration license shall be accompanied by a fee to be determined annually by the commissioner of administration under the provision of section three B of chapter seven. Each application shall specify the exact tract of land to be explored, the right by which the applicant can enter upon the tract, the exact exploration to be conducted and the provisions made to restore the land surface after exploration is completed. Upon review by the commissioner the applicant shall be notified whether or not his application has been accepted. One hundred and eighty days after the conclusion of exploration the results of such exploration shall be made public by the licensee.