West Virginia Code of State Rules › Agency 35 - Oil And Gas › Title 35 - LEGISLATIVE RULE DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICE OF OIL AND GAS › Series 35-03 - Coalbed Methane Wells Rule › Section 35-3-14 - Operation and Reclamation

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 28, July 12, 2024
14.1. All proposed reclamation methods for construction of roads, drilling locations, and pits, if any, or alternative overflow prevention facilities, shall be submitted on Form WW-9 with the application for any permit under this series, except a permit to plug a well. Such proposed reclamation methods shall be approved by the chief or his designate, prior to the issuance of the permit, all reclamation shall be done under the supervision of the chief. The reclamation may be altered from that set out in said Form WW-9, if found necessary, with the consent of the chief of his designate, due to topography or other conditions not apparent upon initial submission and approval of the proposed reclamation methods.
14.2. Access Roads - All access road shall be constructed and maintained so as to prevent excess sedimentation, maintain natural drainage areas and, if practicable, to direct or carry away from disturbed areas surface water run-off from undisturbed areas.
14.3. Drilling Sites - Drilling sites shall be constructed and maintained to prevent surface run-off carrying excessive sedimentation from the site, to confine all materials leaked or spilled as a result of drilling operations to the drilling site and to prevent excess sedimentation by not placing in any stream any material moved or cut. Upon the plugging of a non-productive well, whether as a continuous operation with other permitted well work or otherwise, all cementing and other waste materials resulting therefrom shall be stored and disposed of accordance with the permits issued for the site.
14.4. Pits - All field constructed pits which are used to contain waste water shall meet the following minimum requirements:
14.4.a. Any pit shall be constructed and maintained so as to prevent seepage, leakage or overflows and to maintain its integrity.
14.4.b. Provisions shall be made for diverting surface water from the pits.
14.4.c. When an operator is unable to maintain adequate freeboard to prevent overflow from any pit, the district inspector shall be notified by the well operator and an additional pit (or alternative overflow facility) shall be constructed under the supervision of the chief which shall also meet the requirements specified in subsection 14.4 of this section.
14.4.d. If existing soil is not suitable to prevent seepage or leakage, other materials which are impervious shall be used as a liner for a pit. Any such liner shall be installed in such a manner as to protect the structural integrity of both pit and liner.
14.4.e. Dikes associated with pits shall be constructed of compacted material and maintained with a slope that will preserve the structural integrity of such dike.
14.4.f. Any unlined dike constructed of existing soil shall be free of trees and other organic matter, large rocks, or any other material which could be reasonably expected to adversely affect the structural integrity of such dike.
14.4.g. Reclamation of the pits shall not cause an overflow or unpermitted discharge of materials to waters of the state.
14.4.h. All drilling pits and alternative overflow prevention facilities shall be constructed, maintained and reclaimed as required by those conditions of any permit issued by the chief pursuant W. Va. Code §
										22-6-7 and subsection 14.5 of this rule, and so as not to be left in such condition as to constitute a hazard or to prevent use of the surface for agricultural purposes after the expiration of the six (6) month or extended period for reclamation prescribed by W. Va. Code §
										22-6-30.