What are some examples of successful projects using BMPs?
In the Powder River Basin of Wyoming, many coal bed natural gas wells are drilled with the smaller water well drilling rigs, identical to what a homeowner would hire to drill a water well for its home. A very small well pad is cleared for the drilling rig, and many times a road is never constructed. The Energy Company drives in on top of the vegetation, leaving only two small, parallel wheel ruts. The pumping unit that pumps water out of the coal seam to release the natural gas is located mostly underground, out of sight. Only a small metal or fiberglass box remains on the surface, and it is painted a color that helps the box blend into the background. Pipelines for the produced natural gas, powerlines to drive the pump, and water lines are buried in the two-track road, which is then revegetated. The energy compay seldom drives to the well because the natural gas flows to a central compressor through a buried collection pipeline; the water to a central evaporation pond; and the well is
