Collapse to view only § 3272.12 - What environmental protection measures must I include in my utilization plan?

§ 3272.10 - What must I submit to BLM in my utilization plan?

Submit to BLM an application describing:

(a) The proposed facilities as required by § 3272.11; and

(b) The anticipated environmental impacts and how you propose to mitigate those impacts, as required by § 3272.12.

§ 3272.11 - How do I describe the proposed utilization facility?

Your submission must include:

(a) A generalized description of all proposed structures and facilities, including their size, location, and function;

(b) A generalized description of proposed facility operations, including estimated total production and injection rates; estimated well flow rates, pressures, and temperatures; facility net and gross electrical generation; and, if applicable, interconnection with other utilization facilities. If it is a direct use facility, send us the information we need to determine the amount of resource utilized;

(c) A contour map of the entire utilization site, showing production and injection well pads, pipeline routes, facility locations, drainage structures, existing and planned access, and lateral roads;

(d) A description of site preparation and associated surface disturbance, including the source for site or road building materials, amounts of cut and fill, drainage structures, analysis of all site evaluation studies prepared for the site(s), and a description of any additional tests, studies, or surveys which are planned to assess the geologic suitability of the site(s);

(e) The source, quality, and proposed consumption rate of water to be used during facility operations, and the source and quantity of water to be used during facility construction;

(f) The methods for meeting air quality standards during facility construction and operation, especially standards concerning non-condensable gases;

(g) An estimated number of personnel needed during construction and operation of the facility;

(h) A construction schedule;

(i) A schedule for testing of the facility and/or well equipment, and for the start of commercial operations;

(j) A description of architectural landscaping or other measures to minimize visual impacts; and

(k) Any additional information or data that we may require.

§ 3272.12 - What environmental protection measures must I include in my utilization plan?

(a) Describe, at a minimum, your proposed measures to:

(1) Prevent or control fires;

(2) Prevent soil erosion;

(3) Protect surface or ground water;

(4) Protect fish and wildlife;

(5) Protect cultural, visual, and other natural resources;

(6) Minimize air and noise pollution; and

(7) Minimize hazards to public health and safety during normal operations.

(b) If BLM requires it, you must also describe how you will monitor your facility operations to ensure that they comply with the requirements of § 3200.4, and applicable noise, air, and water quality standards, at all times. We will consult with other involved surface management agencies, if any, regarding monitoring requirements. You must also include provisions for monitoring other environmental parameters we may require.

(c) Based on what level of impacts that BLM finds your operations may cause, we may require you to collect data concerning existing air and water quality, noise, seismicity, subsidence, ecological systems, or other environmental information for up to 1 year before you begin operating. BLM must approve your data collection methodologies, and will consult with any other surface managing agencies involved.

(d) You must also describe how you will abandon utilization facilities and restore the site, in order to comply with the requirements of § 3200.4.

(e) Finally, you must submit any additional information or data that BLM may require.

§ 3272.13 - How will BLM review my utilization plan and notify me of its decision?

(a) When BLM receives your utilization plan, we will make sure it is complete and review it for compliance with § 3200.4.

(b) If another Federal agency manages the surface of your lease, we will consult with that agency as part of the plan review.

(c) If we need any further information to complete our review, we will contact you in writing and suspend our review until we receive the information.

(d) We will notify you in writing of our decision on your plan.

§ 3272.14 - How do I get a permit to build or test my facility?

(a) Before building or testing a utilization facility, you must submit to BLM a:

(1) Utilization plan;

(2) Completed and signed facility construction permit; and

(3) Completed and signed site license. (See subpart 3273.)

(b) Do not start building or testing your utilization facility until we have approved both your facility construction permit and your site license.

(c) After our review, we will notify you whether we have approved or denied your permit, as well as of any conditions we require for conducting operations.