R317-7-7. Area Permits

A. The Director may issue a permit on an area basis, rather than for each well individually, provided that the permit is for injection wells:

1. described and identified by location in permit application, if they are existing wells, except that the Director may accept a single description of wells with substantially the same characteristics;

2. within the same well field, facility site, reservoir, project, or similar unit in the State;

3. operated by a single owner or operator; and

4. used to inject other than hazardous waste.

B. Area permits shall specify:

1. the area within which underground injections are authorized; and

2. the requirements for construction, monitoring, reporting, operation, and abandonment, for all wells authorized by the permit.

C. The area permit may authorize the permittee to construct and operate, convert, or plug and abandon injection wells within the permit area provided that:

1. the permittee notifies the Director at such time as the permit requires, when and where the new well has been or will be located;

2. the additional well meets the area permit criteria; and

3. the cumulative effects of drilling and operation of additional injection wells are considered by the Director during evaluation of the area permit application and are acceptable to the Director.

D. If the Director determines that any additional well does not meet the area permit requirements, the Director may modify or terminate the permit or take appropriate enforcement action.

E. If the Director determines the cumulative effects are unacceptable, the permit may be modified.

F. The requirements of R317-7-6.9 apply to area permits.