9.41—Operating standards.
The following standards shall apply to operations within a unit:
(a)
Surface operations shall at no time be conducted within 500 feet of the banks of perennial, intermittent or ephemeral watercourses; or within 500 feet of the high pool shoreline of natural or man-made impoundments; or within 500 feet of the mean high tideline; or within 500 feet of any structure or facility (excluding roads) used for unit interpretation, public recreation or for administration of the unit, unless specifically authorized by an approved plan of operations.
(b)
The operator shall protect all survey monuments, witness corners, reference monuments and bearing trees against destruction, obliteration, or damage from operations and shall be responsible for the reestablishment, restoration, or referencing of any monuments, corners and bearing trees which are destroyed, obliterated, or damaged by such operations.
(c)
Whenever drilling or producing operations are suspended for 24 hours or more, but less than 30 days, the wells shall be shut in by closing wellhead valves or blowout prevention equipment. When producing operations are suspended for 30 days or more, a suitable plug or other fittings acceptable to the Superintendent shall be used to close the wells.
(d)
The operator shall mark each and every operating derrick or well in a conspicuous place with his name or the name of the owner, and the number and location of the well, and shall take all necessary means and precautions to preserve these markings.
(e)
Around existing or future installations, e.g., well, storage tanks, all high pressure facilities, fences shall be built for protection of unit visitors and wildlife, and protection of said facilities unless otherwise authorized by the Superintendent. Fences erected for protection of unit visitors and wildlife shall be of a design and material acceptable to the Superintendent, and where appropriate, shall have at least one gate which is of sufficient width to allow access by fire trucks. Hazards within visitor use areas will be clearly marked with warning signs acceptable to the Superintendent.
(f)
The operator shall carry on all operations and maintain the site at all times in a safe and workmanlike manner, having due regard for the preservation of the environment of the unit. The operator shall take reasonable steps to prevent and shall remove accumulations of oil or other materials deemed to be fire hazards from the vicinity of well locations and lease tanks, and shall remove from the property or store in an orderly manner all scrap or other materials not in use.
(g)
Operators will be held fully accountable for their contractor's or subcontractor's compliance with the requirements of the approved plan of operations.