FS Drilling BMPs.pdf

Forest Service Standard BMPs

Provided by Noel Ludwig, Watershed Program Manager, San Bernardino Na onal Forest

FS Handbook states that non‐toxic, non‐hazardous drilling fluids shall be used when prac cable.

From the FS LMP:

14. When needed, diversions of stream flows should be conducted using sandbags or other methods requiring minimal instream disturbance. Silt fencing or other sediment trapping materials should be installed at the downstream end of construc on ac vity to minimize the transport of sediment off‐site. Se ling ponds, where sediment is collected, should be cleaned out with the sediment deposited on upland areas to prevent the sediment from entering the stream with the onset of the rainy season. Care should be exercised while removing silt fences, to the extent feasible, to prevent debris or sediment from entering the stream.

15. Hazardous materials should be stored at safe distances from RCAs in a designated loca on designed to contain any spills. All refueling of vehicles should be conducted at designated sites outlined in the project spill plan to prevent any spillage from entering the stream. Cleanup of all project related spills of hazardous materials should follow the Forest Hazardous Materials

Response Plan. Spills of hazardous materials should be cleaned up immediately and contaminated soils removed to approved disposal areas.

Addi onal measures:

Wells must follow state requirements and receive any necessary permits prior to drilling.

Waste drilling mud and fluid containing any toxic or hazardous materials cannot be discharged into surface waters, but must be retained in a se ling basin un l it can be disposed of off‐site. Contaminants may include, but are not limited to, hydraulic fluids, contaminants in the soil and/or groundwater, polymers, and other drilling fluid addi ves.

Any non‐hazardous well drilling fluid or produc on water shall be discharged into upland areas for filtering by vegeta on and soil, or pumped into a storage tank or directed through a geotex le filtra on system (or equivalent system) before discharging to the surrounding ground surface. All sediment‐laden water shall be kept out of storm drains and surface waters.

If sediment‐laden water does escape from the immediate drilling loca on, block flow to any nearby waterways or catch basins using fabric, inlet protec ons, sand bags, erosion fences, or other similar methods. Immediately no fy the Forest and State and local jurisdic ons if sediment‐laden water impacts surface waters.

If cu ngs or other soils disturbed in the drilling process are to be temporarily stockpiled on site, they must be covered and surrounded by a berm or filter device.

Stabilize exposed soils at the end of the job, using mulch or other erosion control measures.