(a) Each authorized representative of the Secretary conducting a Federal inspection under §842.11:

(1) Shall have a right of entry to, upon, and through any coal exploration or surface coal mining and reclamation operation without advance notice or a search warrant, upon presentation of appropriate credentials;

(2) May, at reasonable times and without delay, have access to and copy any records, and inspect any monitoring equipment or method of exploration or operation required under the applicable program; and,

(3) Shall have a right to gather physical and photographic evidence to document conditions, practices or violations at the site.

(b) No search warrant shall be required with respect to any activity under paragraph (a) of this section, except that a search warrant may be required for entry into a building.