(a) General. The lessee or operator shall conduct operations on National Forest System lands in a manner that minimizes effects on surface resources and reduces conflicts with other land uses by avoiding unnecessary or unreasonable surface resource disturbance.

(1) At a minimum, the operator must:

(i) Control soil erosion and mitigate land instability caused by their operations;

(ii) Control water runoff from their operations;

(iii) Remove, or control, solid wastes, toxic substances, and hazardous substances attributable to their operations;

(iv) Reshape and revegetate areas disturbed by their operations;

(v) Remove structures, improvements, facilities, and equipment no longer needed in the conduct of operations, unless otherwise authorized;

(vi) Take measures to preclude introduction of nonnative invasive species that could otherwise result from their operations;

(vii) Take measures to reclaim surface areas disturbed by their operations;

(viii) Unless otherwise approved by the authorized Forest Service officer, initiate interim reclamation activity within 1 year of completion of operations on the affected area. Interim reclamation shall be conducted concurrently with other operations; and

(ix) Promptly clean up and remove from National Forest System lands, waters, or interests therein which are administered by the Forest Service or are designated for administration through the Forest Service as a part of the system (16 U.S.C. 1609) any released oil, produced water, toxic substances, or other contaminating substances attributable to their operations in accordance with all applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulations.

(2) Operators shall use existing roads and utility corridors wherever possible.

(3) All spills or leakages of oil, gas, produced water, toxic liquids, or waste materials; blowouts; fires; personal injuries; and fatalities that are reported to the Bureau of Land Management according to applicable orders, notices to lessee, and/or approved surface use plan of operations shall also be reported to the authorized Forest Service officer.

(b) Compliance with other statutes and regulations. The operator is responsible for complying with applicable Federal and State laws and regulations. The operator must also comply with notices to lessees issued pursuant to this subpart.

(c) Access. Operators must allow authorized Forest Service employees access to drilling and production sites and to any other locations on National Forest System lands where operations pursuant to a lease are being conducted.

(d) Other Forest Service authorizations. To the extent required by applicable statutes and regulations, the operator shall obtain other Forest Service authorizations such as timber contracts, road use permits, or special use authorizations for other uses of National Forest System lands.

(e) Safety measures. (1) The operator must maintain structures, facilities, improvements, and equipment located on the area of operation in a safe and well-maintained manner and in accordance with the applicable approval(s).

(2) The operator must take appropriate measures in accordance with applicable Federal and State laws and regulations to protect the public from hazardous sites or conditions resulting from the operations. Such measures may include, but are not limited to, posting signs, building fences, or otherwise identifying a hazardous site or condition.

(3) The operator shall conduct its activities in a manner that avoids the cause or minimizes the spread of fire.

(f) Liability. The operator and lessee are jointly and severally liable in accordance with Federal and State laws to the United States for:

(1) Injury, loss, or damage, including fire suppression costs, incurred by the United States as a result of the operations; and

(2) Payments made by the United States in satisfaction of claims, demands, or judgments for an injury, loss, or damage, including fire suppression costs, incurred as a result of the operations.