Environmental Assessment Form For Well Permitting
All well operators must submit a complete and accurate Division of Mineral Resources' well permitting Environmental Assessment Form (EAF) (PDF) (316 KB) with the Application for Permit to Drill, Deepen, Plug Back or Convert a Well. The completed EAF provides DEC with information about the physical setting of the proposed project, the general character of the land and land use, the projected size of the area that will be disturbed and the length of time the drilling rig will be on the site. The applicant will also use the EAF to describe the procedures that will be used to construct the access road, supply water for drilling, contain and dispose of wastes and reclaim the site.
Information provided on the EAF allows the DEC to evaluate the environmental impacts and site-specific concerns associated with the proposed drilling activity. This helps DEC to determine whether special permit conditions, additional DEC permits, or a Full Environmental Assessment Form may be required.
Page 3 of the EAF provides suggested sources of information for completing the EAF itself. Links to many of these information sources are listed below.
Underground Gas Storage
A Full Environmental Assessment Form (PDF) (1,902 KB) is required to be submitted by applicants for an Underground Gas Storage Permit. This form is different than the well permitting EAF discussed above.
Additional Resources for the EAF
EAF Mapper Application - The EAF Mapper Application, while generally used for completing a Full EAF, is an interactive Geographic Information System (GIS) application that can provide some information about the environmental resources on or near your project site. The EAF Mapper can help determine locations of threatened or endangered animal species, wetlands, and other protected habitats.
Regional Mineral Managers (Oil & Gas) - Contact information for your Regional Mineral Resources office
Links Leaving DEC's Website
NYS Health Dept. Drinking Water Program - Drinking Water Protection Program
USGS New York - New York Water Science Center
Cornell Cooperative Extensions - Information on agricultural districts
NYS Dept. of Agriculture and Markets - Information on agricultural districts
New York Association of Conservation Districts - Information on Soil and Water Conservation Districts
New York State Coastal Management Program - Information on Coastal Zone Management Areas
New York State Historic Preservation Office - Information on archeological or historic resources
DMN, Bureau of Oil and Gas Regulation
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233
