Surface disturbance will be prohibited in any of the following areas or conditions. Exception, waiver, or modification of this limitation may be approved in writing, including documented supporting analysis, by the authorized officer.
Slopes in excess of 25 percent.
Within important scenic areas (Class I and II Visual Resource Management Areas).
Within 500 feet of surface water and/or riparian areas.
Within either one-quarter mile or the visual horizon (whichever is closer) of historic trails.
Construction with frozen material or during periods when the soil material is saturated or when watershed damage is likely to occur.
The intent of the surface disturbance mitigation guideline is to inform interested parties (potential lessees, permittees, or operators) that when one or more of the five conditions exist, surface-disturbing activities will be prohibited unless or until a permittee or his designated representative and the surface management agency arrive at an acceptable plan for mitigation of anticipated impacts. This negotiation will occur prior to development.
Specific criteria (e.g., 500 feet from water) have been established based upon the best information available. However, such items as geographical areas and seasons must be delineated at the field level. Exception, waiver, or modification of requirements developed from this guideline must be based upon environmental analysis of proposals (e.g., activity plans, plans of development, plans of operation, and applications for permit to drill) and, if necessary, must allow for other mitigation to be applied on a site-specific basis.