New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 19 - NATURAL RESOURCES AND WILDLIFE
Chapter 15 - OIL AND GAS
Part 29 - RELEASE NOTIFICATION
Section 19.15.29.11 - SITE ASSESSMENT/CHARACTERIZATION

Universal Citation: 19 NM Admin Code 19.15.29.11

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 18, September 24, 2024

After the responsible party has removed all free liquids and recoverable materials, the responsible party must assess soils both vertically and horizontally for potential environmental impacts from any major or minor release containing liquids.

A. Characterization requirements. The responsible party must submit information characterizing the release to the appropriate division district office within 90 days of discovery of the release or characterize the release by submitting a final closure report within 90 days of discovery of the release in accordance with Subsection E of 19.15.29.12 NMAC. The responsible party may seek an extension of time to submit characterization information for good cause as determined by the division. The responsible party must submit the following information to the division.

(1) Site map. The responsible party must provide a scaled diagram that shows the potentially impacted area, significant surface features including roads and site infrastructure, location of borings, sample points, monitoring wells and subsurface features such as known pipelines to the extent known at the time of submittal including the source of information regarding subsurface features.

(2) Depth to ground water. The responsible party must determine the depth to ground water where the release occurred. If the exact depth to ground water is unknown, the responsible party must provide a reasonable determination of probable ground water depth using data generated by numeric models, cathodic well lithology, water well data, published information or other tools as approved by the appropriate division district office. If the responsible party uses water well data, the responsible party must provide all pertinent well information.

(3) Wellhead protection area. The responsible party must determine the horizontal distance from all known water sources within a half mile of the release including private and domestic water sources. Water sources are wells, springs or other sources of fresh water extraction. Private and domestic water sources are those water sources used by less than five households for domestic or stock purposes.

(4) Distance to nearest significant watercourse. The responsible party must determine the horizontal distance to the nearest significant watercourse as defined in Subsection P of 19.15.17.7 NMAC within a half mile of any horizontal boundary of the release.

(5) Soil/waste characteristics. The responsible party must determine the lateral and vertical extents of soil contamination, as follows.
(a) If the release occurred within a lined containment area, the responsible party must demonstrate liner integrity after affected material is removed and the affected area of the liner is exposed and provide:
(i) certification on form C-141 that the responsible party has visually inspected the liner where the release occurred and the liner remains intact and had the ability to contain the leak in question; and

(ii) at least two business days' notice to the appropriate division district office before conducting the liner inspection.

(b) If the responsible party is unable to demonstrate liner integrity or the release occurred outside of a lined containment area, the responsible party must delineate the release horizontally and vertically using Table I of 19.15.29.12 NMAC constituents or as required by Subparagraph (e) of Paragraph (5) of Subsection A of 19.15.29.11 NMAC based on the type of release. The responsible party shall use one or more of the following soil sampling methods for characterization:
(i) NRCS Field Guide;

(ii) EPA SW-846;

(iii) ASTM Method 4547;

(iv) EPA 600; or

(v) or other division-approved methods.

(c) In addition to Subparagraph (b) of Paragraph (5) of Subsection A of 19.15.29.11 NMAC, if the release occurred outside of a lined containment area and is in an area where depth to ground water is greater than 50 feet and less than or equal to 100 feet, the responsible party must delineate the vertical extent of the release to the greater of 600 mg/kg chloride or background chloride level, if:
(i) the release contains produced water that exceeds 10,000 mg/l of chloride (if the responsible party contends the fluid is less than 10,000 mg/l, the responsible party must provide current sample results to the division); and

(ii) the release is of an unknown quantity or results in greater than 200 barrels of unrecovered produced water.

(d) If the conditions are met in Subparagraph (c) of Paragraph (5) of Subsection A of 19.15.29.11 NMAC, the responsible party must submit at least two soil samples for laboratory analysis from each borehole or sample point (highest observed contamination and deepest depth investigated). Field screening and assessment techniques are acceptable (headspace, titration, electrical conductivity , electromagnetics, etc.), but the sampling procedures must be clearly defined. The responsible party must submit copies of field notes attributable to field sampling and provide copies of the actual laboratory results including chain of custody documentation.

(e) If a known release of other oil field related chemicals occurs that is not included in Table I of 19.15.29.12 NMAC, and does not include oil, gas, produced water or other fluids from the wellstream, the standards for remediation shall be as follows:
(i) if the constituent appears on Table 1 of 40 C.F.R. 261.24(b), then that constituent shall be remediated according to 40 C.F.R. 261.24;

(ii) if the constituent is not identified in Table 1 of 40 C.F.R. 261.24(b), but is identified in the New Mexico environment department's Risk Assessment Guidance for Site Investigations and Remediation Volumes I and II (assessment), the division will determine the appropriate Assessment Volume and remediation shall occur pursuant to the assessment;

(iii) if the constituent is not identified in Items (i) or (ii) of Subparagraph (e) of Paragraph (5) of Subsection A of 19.15.29.11 NMAC, the division shall consult with the responsible party to determine appropriate remediation of the release.

B. Unless the site characterization report includes completed efforts at remediation, the report must include a proposed remediation plan in accordance with 19.15.29.12 NMAC, which includes the anticipated timelines for beginning and completing the remediation.

C. If the division determines that more information is needed to understand the character of the release and its potential impact on fresh water, public health and the environment, the division may request the responsible party submit additional information. Should the division request additional information, it must do so in writing to the responsible party within 30 days from receipt of the characterization report or remediation plan with what specific information the division is requesting and reasons why the additional information is needed. The responsible party has 14 days to respond to a written request for additional information. If the responsible party disagrees with the request for additional information, it may consult with the division, or file an application for hearing pursuant to 19.15.4 NMAC within 30 days of the issuance of the request for additional information.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. New Mexico may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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