Restrictions placed on seismic activities have been few. Activities have been 

 restricted during periods of migratory waterfowl presence, and crews have been 

 asked to create a minimum of surface disturbance. 



Access to the site. Nearly all the wells drilled have been in the uplands. 

 Texas Railroad Commission maps show only four wells on the refuge that were 

 drilled upon dredge spoil or marshland. Essentially, all wells have been 

 accessed by road. Roads were constructed by Continental, using the usual 

 methods for uplands. Since there were many wells, the road system spread 

 considerably over the entire refuge, running its length. Three major roadways 

 have been built along the east and west costs and along the median of Blackjack 

 Peninsula. These roads connect to form a series of loops, with small side 

 roads leading to well sites. The roads are graded, crowned, topped with shell, 

 and have drainage ditches on either side. There are numerous culverts crossing 

 small drainage courses, though in some places, particularly after heavy rains, 

 it appears that the elevated nature of the road may block some water drainage. 



Continental Oil and the refuge management agreed in 1970 to limit visitor 

 access to' much of the refuge. For Continental, this eliminated the hazard and 

 liability resulting from vandalism or accidents to refuge visitors. For the 

 benefit of the refuge. Continental agreed to cease using public access roads 

 that were undergoing wear due to heavy vehicles. In addition. Continental 

 agreed to maintain about 130 km (80 mi) of the 160 km (100 mi) of roads on the 

 refuge. 



Access routes to well sites are made by mutual agreement. Generally, the 

 refuge manager meets with the company representative after receiving a map 

 showing the tentative location and access route. If modifications are neces- 

 sary, an on-site inspection is made to modify the route. 



Site preparation and operation. The manager and company representative 

 meet if, in the opinion of the manager, site modifications are required. No 

 formal guidelines are written down, though the site planners generally avoid 

 oak mottes and groves of large trees. The environment of the refuge is such 

 that there are many scattered wooded areas. As a result, only slight modifi- 

 cations to drilling sites or access routes are needed. Equipment is usually 

 placed in coastal grasslands or live-oak brush areas, which recover rapidly 

 from disturbance. 



The well site constructed is typical of any off -refuge operation. The 

 area may encompass 0.4 to 1.6 ha (1 to 4 acres) and contains areas for storage, 

 all normal facilities, and earthen mud, circulating, and reserve pits. 

 Equipment for preparation of the area - dozers, graders, trucks with shell or 

 crushed gravel - are identical to those used for off-refuge sites. Water may 

 be supplied by a shallow well, though gas for power plant operation is usually 

 obtained by temporary surface gas lines from nearby gas wells. 



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