50 CFR § 29.118 - What additional operating standards apply to geophysical operations?
---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t50/s29.118"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "50 CFR § 29.118 - What additional operating standards apply to geophysical operations?"
title_number: 50
title_name: "Wildlife and Fisheries"
section_number: "29.118"
section_name: "What additional operating standards apply to geophysical operations?"
chapter_name: "UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR"
subchapter_number: "C"
subchapter_name: "THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM"
part_number: "29"
part_name: "LAND USE MANAGEMENT"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "5 U.S.C. 301; 16 U.S.C. 460k, 664, 668dd, 685, 690d, 715i, 725, 3161; 30 U.S.C. 185; 31 U.S.C. 3711, 9701; 40 U.S.C. 319; 43 U.S.C. 315a; 113 Stat. 1501A-140."
regulatory_source: "31 FR 16026, Dec. 15, 1966, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "29"
---
# 29.118 What additional operating standards apply to geophysical operations?
If you conduct geophysical operations, you must do all of the following:
(a) Use surveying methods that minimize the need for vegetative trimming and removal.
(b) Locate source points using industry-accepted minimum safe-offset distances from pipelines, telephone lines, railroad tracks, roads, power lines, water wells, oil and gas wells, oil- and gas-production facilities, and buildings.
(c) Use equipment and methods that, based upon the specific environment, will minimize impacts to Service-administered lands and waters, and resources of refuges; visitor uses and experiences; and visitor and employee health and safety.
(d) If you use shot holes, you must:
(1) Use biodegradable charges;
(2) Plug all shot holes to prevent a pathway for migration for fluids along any portion of the bore; and
(3) Leave the site in a clean and safe condition that will not impede surface reclamation or pose a hazard to wildlife or human health and safety.