Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 44, November 2, 2024
Section 78a.52a - Area of review(a) The operator shall identify the surface and bottom hole locations of any of the following having well bore paths within 1,000 feet measured horizontally from the vertical well bore and 1,000 feet measured from the surface above the entire length of a horizontal well bore:(5) Plugged and abandoned wells.(b) Identification of wells listed in subsection (a) must be accomplished by the following: (1) Conducting a review of the Department's well databases and other available well databases.(2) Conducting a review of historical sources of information, such as applicable farm line maps, where accessible.(3) Submitting a questionnaire by certified mail on forms provided by the Department to landowners whose property is within the area identified in subsection (a) regarding the precise location of wells on their property.(c) The operator shall submit a report summarizing the review, including: (1) A plat showing the location and GPS coordinates of all wells identified under subsection (b).(2) Proof that the operator submitted questionnaires under subsection (b)(3).(3) A monitoring plan for wells required to be monitored under § 78a.73(c) (relating to general provision for well construction and operation), including the methods the operator will employ to monitor these wells.(4) To the extent that information is available, the true vertical depth of identified wells.(5) The sources of the information provided for identified wells.(6) To the extent that information is available, surface evidence of failed well integrity for any identified well.(d) The operator shall submit the report required under subsection (c) to the Department at least 30 days prior to the start of drilling the well or at the time the permit application is submitted if the operator plans to start drilling the well less than 30 days from the date of permit issuance. The report shall be provided to the Department electronically through the Department's web site.(e) The Department may require other information necessary to review the report submitted under subsection (c). The Department may make a determination that additional measures are needed, on a case-by-case basis, to ensure protection of waters of the Commonwealth. This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 78a.73 (relating to general provision for well construction and operation); and 25 Pa. Code § 78a.122 (relating to well record and completion report).