In order to construct a well pad, vegetation is removed and the land is leveled. When constructing a pipeline, a right of way is established and cleared. The Marcellus Shale Coalition has a series of recommended practices on Site Planning, Development and Restoration that go into greater detail on land management guidelines. State regulations require that a well site be reclaimed within 90 days of completion. In short, although the landscape is temporarily modified to accommodate this development, it is ultimately restored in accordance with state regulations.
