25 Pa. Code § 88.83 - Sealing of drilled holes: general requirements
(a) An exploration hole, other drill or
borehole, well or other exposed opening (except for holes solely drilled and
used for blasting), shall be sealed, backfilled or otherwise managed, as
approved by the Department, in order to do the following:
(1) Prevent acid or other toxic drainage from
entering groundwaters or surface waters.
(2) Minimize disturbance to the prevailing
hydrologic balance.
(3) Ensure the
safety of people, property, livestock, fish and wildlife and machinery in the
permit and adjacent areas.
(4)
Prevent groundwater and surface water from entering underground mine
workings.
(b) If these
openings are uncovered or exposed by surface mining activities within the
permit area, they shall be permanently closed unless approved for water
monitoring, or otherwise managed in a manner approved by the
Department.
(c) Use of a drilled
hole, borehole or monitoring well as a water well shall meet the provisions of
§
88.106 (relating to hydrologic
balance: surface water monitoring).
(d) Gas and oil wells shall be sealed in
accordance with the Oil and Gas Act (58 P. S. §§
601.101-601.605).
(e) A solid barrier of undisturbed earth, 125
feet (38.1 meters) in radius shall be maintained around all oil and gas wells,
unless:
(1) The well is sealed in accordance
with subsection (d).
(2) The
Department approves in writing a lesser distance if:
(i) Access to the well is provided at all
times.
(ii) The integrity of the
well is maintained.
(iii) The
measures included in the permit to minimize damage, destruction or disruption
of services are implemented.
Notes
The provisions of this § 88.83 amended under the Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act (52 P. S. §§ 1396.1-1396.19a); The Clean Streams Law (35 P. S. §§ 691.1-691.1001); and section 1920-A of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P. S. § 510-20).
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