58 Pa. Stat. § 601.206

Current through P.A. Acts 2023-32
Section 601.206 - Well site restoration
(a) Each oil or gas well owner or operator shall restore the land surface within the area disturbed in siting, drilling, completing and producing the well.
(b) During and after all earthmoving or soil disturbing activities, including, but not limited to, the activities related to siting, drilling, completing, producing and plugging the well, erosion and sedimentation control measures shall be implemented in accordance with an erosion and sedimentation control plan prepared in accordance with the act of June 22, 1937 (P.L. 1987, No. 394), known as The Clean Streams Law.
(c) Within nine months after completion of drilling of any well, the owner or operator shall restore the well site, remove or fill all pits used to contain produced fluids or industrial wastes and remove all drilling supplies and equipment not needed for production. Drilling supplies and equipment not needed for production may be stored on the well site if the express written consent of the surface landowner is obtained.
(d) Within nine months after plugging a well, the owner or operator shall remove all production or storage facilities, supplies and equipment and restore the well site.
(e) Restoration activities required by this act or in regulations promulgated hereunder shall also comply with all applicable provisions of The Clean Streams Law.
(f) Failure to restore the well site as required in this act or in regulations promulgated hereunder is a violation of this act.
(g) The restoration period may be extended by the department for an additional six months upon application of the well owner or operator providing evidence of inability to comply due to adverse weather conditions or lack of essential fuel, equipment or labor.

58 P.S. § 601.206

1984, Dec. 19, P.L. 1140, No. 223, § 206, effective in 120 days.