North Dakota Century Code Title 38. Mining and Gas and Oil Production § 38-08-04.12. 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.