Geology Section

Directions to KDHE and Visitor Parking

• Organizational Chart 
• Geology Section Programs - Mike Cochran, Section Chief, 785.296.5560  mcochran@kdheks.gov
  • Underground Hydrocarbon and Natural Gas Salt Cavern Storage Program
    • Mark Jennings, Unit Chief, 785.296.7254  mjennings@kdheks.gov
  • Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program
    • Cynthia Khan, Unit Chief, 785.296.5554  ckhan@kdheks.gov
  • Water Well Program
    • Richard Harper, Unit Chief, 785.296.3565  rharper@kdheks.gov
• Upcoming Seminars, Expos, Conferences and Workshops -
  • Thursday, September 6, 2012 - Details coming at later date (NEW) 3/12/2012
• Geology Section "Underground Newsletter"  (NEW)  5/2/2012
• Pipeline Construction Projects - Environmental Contacts Checklist (NEW) 4/13/2012
• Environmental Contacts Checklist for Pipeline Construction Projects
• Proposed Project Information - Water and Wastewater Regulatory Requirements - KDHE, Bureau of Water
• EPA Evaluation of KDHE Underground Injection Control Program for FY 2010
• Inventory of Injection Wells in the United States as of 2010
• KDHE-Geology Section Calendar Year 2011 Annual Report  (NEW) 5/3/2012
• KDHE Certified Laboratories Listing
• Kansas State Board of Technical Professions (KSBTP)
  • Registration as a Professional Geologist in Kansas (KSBTP)
• Record Request (.pdf)
• Regulatory Agenda
• "THIS AND THAT" from around the the state concerning water, energy and environmental issues.
• Document Library
  • Abandoned Brine Well, Salt Cavern/Sinkhole Subsidence
  • Underground Hydrocarbon and Natural Gas Salt Cavern Storagefor Document Library
  • Underground Injection Controlfor Document Library
  • Salt Contamination
  • Water Wellsfor Document Library
  • Groundwater
  • Geology
  • Geothermal
  • Oil and Gas Related (Regulated by Kansas Corporation Commission) (NEW 4-18-2012)
• Presentations Library
  • Underground Injection Control 
  • Abandoned Brine Well, Salt Cavern/Sinkhole Subsidence 
• Training Library
  • Underground Injection Control
• Underground Hydrocarbon and Natural Gas Salt Cavern Storage (soon to come)
• Water Wells

 

Mike Cochran, Chief
Geology Section
1000 SW Jackson St., Suite 420
Topeka, KS 66612-1367
(785) 296.5560
mcochran@kdheks.gov

Geology Section Staff

• Debra Biester, Senior Administrative Assistant, 785.296.5524, dbiester@kdheks.gov
• Julie Falk, Administrative Assistant, 785.296.5274, jfalk@kdheks.gov
• Jeffrey Hand, Environmental Technician, 785.296.7265, jhand@kdheks.gov
• Richard Harper, Professional Geologist, 785.296.3565, rharper@kdheks.gov
• Mark Jennings, Professional Geologist, 785.296.7254, mjennings@kdheks.gov
• Cynthia Khan, Professional Geologist, 785.296.5554, ckhan@kdheks.gov
• FAX: 785.296.5509
• Mailing Address:  KDHE - Geology, 1000 SW Jackson Street, Suite 420, Topeka, KS 66612-1367

Purpose of the Geology Section

The Geology Section within the Bureau of Water administers the Underground Injection Control (UIC), the Underground Hydrocarbon and Natural Gas Storage, and Water Well Licensing, Water Well Construction and Abandonment Programs. These programs protect public health and safety, and the environment.

The UIC Program regulates injection well activities. Injection well activities include the disposal of industrial wastes into deep geologic formations, the solution mining of salt formations, and the shallow injection of non-hazardous fluids below the land surface.

The Underground Hydrocarbon and Natural Gas Storage Program regulates the storage of hydrocarbons, including liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and natural gas, in salt caverns formed by solutioning in the Hutchinson Salt. The program also regulates the brine ponds associated with the underground storage facilities.

The Water Well Program regulates water well contractor licensing, water well construction, and water well abandonment.

The Geology Section also provides hydrogeological and technical support for other programs in the Bureau of Water.