Section 332-12-380. Surrender of leasehold.

(1) Every lessee shall have the option of surrendering their lease as to all or any portion or portions of the land covered thereby at any time and shall be relieved of all future liability thereunder with respect to the land so surrendered except for monetary payments theretofore accrued, physical damage to the premises embraced by the lease which have been occasioned by their operation, physical damages occasioned by right of way passage across other state lands, and the duty to plug and abandon and reclaim the lease premises.

(2) The lessee shall notify the department in writing requesting surrender of leasehold and the department shall acknowledge the receipt of such notice.

(3) If no operations have been conducted under the lease and no surface disturbances or damages have occurred on the land to be surrendered, the lease shall terminate sixty days after the date of the receipt by the department of the notice of surrender, unless the department authorizes an earlier date: Provided, That all payments due up to the time of termination are paid.

(4) If operations have been conducted and surface disturbance or damage has occurred on land proposed for surrender, the leasehold shall not terminate until the land has been reclaimed and placed in an acceptable condition and approved by the department, all wells have been properly plugged and abandoned, and all applicable conditions of chapter 78.52 RCW have been complied with. Termination of the lease shall become effective after approval by the department and all payments which may be due up to the time of termination are paid.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 79.14.120. WSR 82-23-053 (Order 387), § 332-12-380, filed 11/16/82.]

RCW 79.14.120. WSR 82-23-053 (Order 387), § 332-12-380, filed 11/16/82.