The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has issued a General Permit, GP-0-23-003, for Orphan and Abandoned Well Plugging in DEC Region 6, 7, 8, and 9. This permit authorizes activities associated with the plugging of orphaned and abandoned oil and gas wells, occurring within state-regulated freshwater wetland and their associated 100-foot adjacent areas, within the bed or banks of state-protected streams, or within navigable water of the state in accordance with approved plans and conditions of the permit.
The permit is effective November 8, 2023, through November 7, 2028. Obtaining coverage under the permit requires the submission of the Joint Application Form to the Regional Permit Administrator in the DEC region where the project is located, along with necessary site and project information. No work is authorized under the general permit until an applicant has received a countersigned authorization from DEC.
