R850-21-700. Plan of Operations and Reclamation

  1. Prior to conducting any operations that may disturb the surface of lands contained in a lease, the lessee or designated operator shall submit for approval simultaneously to the agency and to UDOGM, a plan of operations and must receive the approval of the plan by both agencies. Said plan shall include, at a minimum, all proposed access and infrastructure locations and proposed site reclamation. Prior to approval, the agency may require the lessee or designated operator to adopt a special rehabilitation program for the particular property in question. The agency will review any request for drilling operations and will grant approval provided that the contemplated location and operations are not in violation of any rules or order of the agency. Agency approval of the plan of operations for oil, gas or hydrocarbon resources is required prior to approval by UDOGM, unless otherwise waived in writing to UDOGM by the agency.

  2. Prior to approval of the plan of operations, the agency shall require the lessee or designated operator to:

  (a) provide when requested, a cultural, paleontological or biological survey on lands under an oil, gas and hydrocarbon lease, including providing the agency a copy of any survey(s) required by other governmental agencies; and

  (b) when requested, provide for reasonable mitigation of impacts to other trust resources occasioned by surface or sub-surface operations on the lease; and

  (c) negotiate with the agency a surface use agreement, right-of-way agreement, or other agreement for trust lands other than the leased lands where the use of said lands is necessary for the development of the lease.

  3. During drilling operations, lessee or designated operator shall keep a log of geologic data accumulated or acquired by the lessee or designated operator about the land described in the lease and will deposit any geological data related to exploration drill holes with the agency upon request.

  4. Oil and gas drilling, or other operations which disturb the surface of the leased lands shall require surface rehabilitation of the disturbed area as prescribed and as required by the rules and regulations administered by the agency and UDOGM.

  All pits, excavations, roads and pads shall be shaped to facilitate drainage and control erosion by following the best management practices. In no case shall the pits or excavations be allowed to become a hazard to persons or livestock. All material removed from the disturbed area shall be stockpiled and be used to fill the pits and for leveling and reclamation of roads and pads, unless consent of the agency to do otherwise is obtained. At the termination of the lease, the land will as nearly as practicable approximate its original configuration. All drill holes must be plugged in accordance with rules promulgated by UDOGM. All mud pits shall be filled and materials and debris removed from the site.

  All topsoil in the affected area shall be removed, stockpiled, and stabilized on the leased trust lands until the completion of operations. Upon reclamation, the stockpiled topsoil will be redistributed on the affected area and the land revegetated as prescribed by the agency.

  5. All lessees or designated operators shall be responsible for compliance with all laws, notification requirements, and operating rules promulgated by UDOGM with regard to oil, gas and hydrocarbon exploration, or drilling on lands within the state of Utah under The Oil and Gas Conservation Act (Section 40-6-1 et seq.). Lessees or designated operators shall fully comply with all the rules or requirements of other agencies having jurisdiction and provide timely notifications of operations plans, well completion reports, or other information as may be requested or required by the agency.