View all text of Subpart 3164 [§ 3164.1 - § 3164.4]

§ 3164.3 - Surface rights.

(a) Operators shall have the right of surface use only to the extent specifically granted by the lease. With respect to restricted Indian lands, additional surface rights may be exercised when granted by a written agreement with the Indian surface owner and approved by the Superintendent of the Indian agency having jurisdiction.

(b) Except for the National Forest System lands, the authorized officer is responsible for approving and supervising the surface use of all drilling, development, and production activities on the leasehold. This includes storage tanks and processing facilities, sales facilities, all pipelines upstream from such facilities, and other facilities to aid production such as water disposal pits and lines, and gas or water injection lines.

(c) On National Forest System lands, the Forest Service shall regulate all surface disturbing activities in accordance with Forest Service regulations, including providing to the authorized officer appropriate approvals of such activities.

[47 FR 47765, Oct. 27, 1982. Redesignated and amended at 48 FR 36583, Aug. 12, 1983, further amended at 53 FR 17364, May 16, 1988; 53 FR 22847, June 17, 1988]