Kan. Admin. Regs. § 82-3-603

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 45, November 7, 2024

Section 82-3-603 - Spill notification and cleanup; penalty; lease maintenance

(a) Spill prevention. Each operator shall act with reasonable diligence to prevent spills and safely confine saltwater, oil, and refuse in tanks, pipelines, pits, or dikes.

(b) Notification.

(1) Each operator shall notify the appropriate district office in accordance with subsection (c) immediately upon discovery or knowledge of any spill that has reached or threatens to reach surface water or that has impacted or threatens to impact groundwater. Each operator shall take immediate action in accordance with procedures specified or approved by the district office to contain and prevent the saltwater, oil, or refuse from reaching surface water or impacting groundwater.

(2) Except as otherwise specified in this regulation, each operator shall notify the appropriate district office of any spill, as defined in K.A.R. 82-3-101 . This notification shall meet the requirements of subsection (c) and shall be made not later than the next business day following the date of discovery or knowledge of the spill.

(3) The notification requirement for spills in paragraph (b)(2) shall not apply to very minor amounts of saltwater, oil, or refuse that unavoidably or unintentionally leak or drip from pumps, machinery, pipes, valves, fittings, well rods, or tubing during the conduct of normal prudent operations and that are not confined in dikes or pits or within the vicinity of the well. This exception shall not apply to ongoing, continual, or repeated leaks or drips, or to leaks or drips that are the result of intentional spillage or abnormal operations, including unrepaired or improperly maintained pumps, machinery, pipes, valves, and fittings.

(4) For purposes of this regulation, the point of "discovery or knowledge" shall mean that point when the operator knew or reasonably should have known of the spill.

(5) The notification requirement in this subsection shall apply even if the operator knows or believes that the appropriate district office is already aware of the spill.

(c) Information required with notification. Each operator shall submit the following information in conjunction with the notification requirement in subsection (b):

(1) The operator's name and license number;

(2) the lease name, legal description, and approximate spill location;

(3) the time and date the spill occurred;

(4) a description of the spilled materials, including type and amount;

(5) a description of the circumstances creating the spill;

(6) the location of the spill with respect to the nearest fresh and usable water resources;

(7) the proposed method for containing and cleaning up the spill; and

(8) any other information that the commission may require.

(d) Penalty for failure to notify. The failure to comply with subsection (b) shall be punishable by a $250 penalty for the first violation, a $500 penalty for the second violation, and a $1,000 penalty and an operator license review for the third violation.

(e) Cleanup of spill.

(1) Each operator shall clean up any spill that requires notification under this regulation in accordance with the cleanup method approved by the appropriate district office. The cleanup techniques deemed appropriate and acceptable to the appropriate district office shall be physical removal, dilution, treatment, and bioremediation. Except as otherwise required by law or regulation, each operator shall complete the cleanup of the spill within 10 days after discovery or knowledge, or by the deadline prescribed in writing by the district office.

(2) Each operator shall clean up all leaks, drips, and escapes that are excepted from notification under this regulation in accordance with cleanup techniques recognized as appropriate and acceptable by the commission. The following cleanup techniques shall be deemed appropriate and acceptable to the commission: physical removal, dilution, treatment, and bioremediation. Each operator shall accomplish this cleanup upon completion of the routine operation or condition that caused the leak, drip, or escape or within 24 hours of discovery or knowledge of the leak, drip, or escape, whichever occurs sooner.

(3) If refuse is transferred in conjunction with a cleanup pursuant to paragraph (e)(1) or (e)(2), each operator shall submit any required forms according to K.A.R. 82-3-608 .

(f) Penalties. Failure to contain and clean up the spill in accordance with this regulation shall be punishable by the following penalties:

(1) $1,000 for the first violation;

(2) $2,500 for the second violation; and

(3) $5,000 and an operator license review for the third violation.

Kan. Admin. Regs. § 82-3-603

Authorized by K.S.A. 2012 Supp. 55-152; implementing K.S.A. 2012 Supp. 55-164, K.S.A. 55-172, K.S.A. 74-623; effective, T-87-46, Dec. 19, 1986; effective May 1, 1987; amended May 1, 1988; amended April 23, 1990; amended April 23, 2004; amended Aug. 16, 2013.