---
kind: "section"
citation: "43 C.F.R. § 3262.11"
title: "43"
number: "3262.11"
heading: "What environmental requirements must I meet when drilling a well?"
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/43/3262.11"
---

# §3262.11. What environmental requirements must I meet when drilling a well?

- (a) You must conduct your operations in a manner that:
  - (1) Protects the quality of surface and subsurface water, air, natural resources, wildlife, soil, vegetation, and natural history;
  - (2) Protects the quality of cultural, scenic, and recreational resources;
  - (3) Accommodates, as necessary, other land uses;
  - (4) Minimizes noise; and
  - (5) **Prevents property damage and unnecessary or undue degradation of the lands.**
- (b) You must remove or, with BLM's approval, properly store all equipment and materials that are not in use.
- (c) You must retain all fluids from drilling and testing the well in properly designed pits, sumps, or tanks.
- (d) When you no longer need a pit or sump, you must abandon it and restore the site as we direct.
- (e) BLM may require you to give us a contingency plan showing how you will protect public health and safety, property, and the environment.

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 30 U.S.C. 1001-1028; 43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.; and Pub. L. 109-58.

### Source

Source: 72 FR 24400, May 2, 2007, unless otherwise noted.