Reclamation of land disturbed by oil and gas activity
N.D. Cent. Code § 38-08-04.12
in effect38-08-04.12. Reclamation of land disturbed by oil and gas activity
1. Any land disturbed by construction of well sites, treating plants, saltwater handling
facilities, access roads, underground gathering pipelines and associated facilities, and
from remediation of leaks or spills within the jurisdiction of the commission shall be
reclaimed as close as practicable to its original condition as it existed before the
construction of the well site or other disturbance. The commission, with the consent of
the appropriate government land manager or surface owner, may waive the
requirement of reclamation of the site and access road after a well is plugged or
treating plant or saltwater handling facility is decommissioned. The commission shall
record documentation of the waiver with the recorder of the county in which the site or
road is located.
2. This section may not be construed to require removal of a properly reclaimed reserve
pit or a properly abandoned underground gathering pipeline.
3. A person may not bring a legal proceeding under this section, unless the person has
exhausted all administrative remedies.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://ndlegis.gov/cencode/t38c08.pdf#nameddest=38-08-04p12Fetched: 10/16/2026