West Virginia Code of State Rules › Agency 38 - Mining And Reclamation › Title 38 - LEGISLATIVE RULE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION MINING AND RECLAMATION › Series 38-23 - Coalbed Methane Wells (See 1st Public Hearing 07/13/95) › Section 38-23-14 - 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 - AH 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 - AH field constructed pits which
				are used to contained waste water shall meet the following minimum
				requirements:
14.4.1. Any pit shall be
				constructed and maintained so as to prevent seepage, leakage or overflows and
				to maintain its integrity.
14.4.2.
				Provisions shall be made for diverting surface water from the pits.
14.4.3. 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 this Section
				14.4.
14.4.4. 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.
14.4.5. Dikes associated
				with pits shall be constructed of compacted material and maintained with a
				slope that will preserve the structural integrity of such dike.
14.4.6. 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.
14.4.7. Reclamation of the pits shall not
				cause an overflow or unpermitted discharge of materials to waters of the
				State.
14.4.8. AH 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 Section 14.5 of these regulations 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.