Section 245.1030  Restoration of the Well Site and Production Facility

Unless contractually agreed to the contrary by the permittee and surface landowner, the permittee shall restore the well site and production facility to a condition as closely approximating the conditions that existed before the land was disturbed for any stage of site preparation activities, drilling and HVHHF operations. 

a)         Restoration shall include:

1)         all of the requirements set forth in Section 245.1020(b);

2)         removal of all equipment and materials involved in site preparation, drilling, and high volume horizontal hydraulic fracturing operations, including tank batteries, rock and concrete pads, oil field debris, injection and flow lines at or above the surface, electric power lines and poles extending on or above the surface, tanks, fluids, pipes at or above the surface, secondary containment measures, rock or concrete bases, drilling equipment and supplies, and any and all other equipment, facilities, or materials used during any stage of site preparation work, drilling, or high volume horizontal hydraulic fracturing operations at the well site; and

3)         all of the requirements of 62 Ill. Adm. Code 240.1180 and 240.1181;

b)         Restoration and work on the removal of equipment and materials at the well site shall begin within 6 months after plugging the final well on the well site and be completed no later than 12 months after the last producing well on the well site has been plugged; and 

c)         Roads installed as part of the oil and gas operation may only be left in place if provided in the lease or pursuant to agreement with the landowner, as applicable. (Section 1-95(d) of the Act)