§ 88.283. Sealing of drilled holes: general requirements.
(a) Each exploration hole, other drill or borehole, well or other exposed underground opening (except for holes solely drilled and used for blasting) shall be sealed, backfilled or otherwise managed, as approved by the Department to:
(1) Prevent acid or other toxic drainage from entering groundwaters or surface waters.
(2) Minimize disturbance to the prevailing hydrologic balance.
(3) Ensure the safety of people, property, livestock, fish and wildlife and machinery in the permit and adjacent areas.
(4) Prevent groundwaters and surface water from entering underground mine workings.
(b) If these openings are uncovered or exposed by coal refuse disposal activities within the permit area, they shall be permanently closed unless approved for water monitoring, or otherwise managed in a manner approved by the Department.
(c) Use of a drilled hole, borehole or monitoring well as a water well shall meet the provisions of § 88.305 (relating to hydrologic balance: groundwater monitoring).
(d) Gas and oil wells shall be sealed in accordance with the Oil and Gas Act (58 P.S. § § 601.101—601.605).
(e) A solid barrier of undisturbed earth, 125 feet (38.1 meters) in radius shall be maintained around all oil and gas wells, unless one of the following exists:
(1) The well is sealed in accordance with subsection (d).
(2) The Department approves, in writing, a lesser distance if:
(i) Access to the well is provided at all times.
(ii) The integrity of the well is maintained.
(iii) The measures included in the permit to minimize damage, destruction or disruption of services are implemented.
(f) All exploration holes, other drill or boreholes, wells (other than gas or oil wells) and other exposed underground openings which have been identified in the approved permit application for use to return waste to an underground mine as part of an operation approved under this chapter, or to be used to monitor groundwater conditions shall be protected by temporary seals, barricades, fences or other protective devices approved by the Department. These devices shall be periodically inspected and maintained in good operating condition during the coal refuse disposal activities.
Authority The provisions of this § 88.283 amended under the Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act (52 P.S. § § 1396.1—1396.19a); The Clean Streams Law (35 P.S. § § 691.1—691.1001); and section 1920-A of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P.S. § 510-20).
Source The provisions of this § 88.283 adopted December 19, 1980, 10 Pa.B. 4789, effective July 31, 1982, 12 Pa.B. 2382; amended March 30, 1984, 14 Pa.B. 1143, effective August 10, 1985, 15 Pa.B. 2872; amended December 15, 1995, effective December 16, 1995, 25 Pa.B. 5821; amended May 8, 1998, effective May 9, 1998, 28 Pa.B. 2227. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (207114) to (207115).
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