Authority: IC 14-10-2-4; IC 14-37-3

Affected: IC 14-37

Sec. 12. (a) Within thirty (30) days of the conclusion of well plugging operations, all fluids and materials in the plugging pit shall be managed according to the requirements of this section and the pits backfilled and restored as specified in subsection (d).

(b) The plugging pit contents shall be removed to the maximum extent practical and, if not reused or recycled at another well location, the wastes shall be disposed of in one (1) or more of the following manners:

1. (1) Transported to a permitted landfill authorized to accept this type of waste.
2. (2) Treatment and discharge of the fluid at an approved national pollutant discharge elimination system (NPDES) permitted facility.
3. (3) Disposal of the fluid by injection into a Class II well.
4. (4) Treated or disposed of by other means approved by the division director after consultation with the Indiana department of environmental management.

(c) Any synthetic liner used shall be removed to the fullest extent practicable and properly disposed of or recycled.

(d) The closed plugging pit shall be filled with native materials sufficient to ensure that the site is stable and will allow for settling with the final contour restored as close as possible to the original land contour.

(Natural Resources Commission; 312 IAC 29- 33-12; filed Dec 1, 2017, 10:35 a.m.: 20171227-IR-312160230FRA; readopted filed Jan 17, 2023, 1:53 p.m.: 20230215-IR- 312220328RFA)