Disposal of drill cuttings

1. The operator may dispose and bury drill cuttings in a pit at the well site, such as the mud pit used to circulate drilling fluids, once the drilling operation is complete, if: a. The drill cuttings are generated from the well at the well site; b. The drill cuttings are not contaminated with brines, oil, production fluids, or drilling fluids other than tophole water or fresh water; c. The pit is backfilled and topsoil replaced, and the site is graded to promote runoff with no depression that would accumulate or pond water on the surface. The stability of the backfilled pit must be compatible with the adjacent land; d. The surface of the backfilled pit area is revegetated under the approved reclamation plan to stabilize the soil surface; and e. The surface of the backfilled drill cutting pit will not exceed the limits set by the United States nuclear regulatory commission. 2. If not disposed at the well site, contaminated cuttings must be disposed at an approved facility.