§ 16.16.010. Findings.  


Latest version.
  • The board of supervisors finds that:

    A.

    It is the intent of this chapter to insure the orderly exploration and development of oil, gas and geothermal resources, and to protect the public interest;

    B.

    Certain limited portions of the unincorporated area of the county may be potential sites for geothermal, oil or gas exploration;

    C.

    A number of operators have acquired leases of land with the intention of exploring for energy resources and developing facilities for utilization of such resources;

    D.

    Surface and shallow subsurface exploration has begun on some of these lands;

    E.

    Public concern has been expressed over the lack of scientific research, monitoring and adequate controls on the environmental impacts of such exploratory and developmental activities on land use, in general, and the agricultural and recreational income of the county, in particular. Public concern has been expressed as to the danger of damage to components of the ecological system such as vegetation, air, water, crops, household and agricultural water supplies from erosion increase, water quality degradation, groundwater infiltration, wildlife habitat loss, noise, dust, impact on fragile or sensitive areas, wildlife disturbance, impedance of wildlife movement, aesthetic disturbance, historical or archaeological site disturbance, cultural use disturbance, road failure, off-site land degradation, seepage, spillage, or escape of toxic materials, liquids or drill muds, venting or spillage of biosensitive materials, well blowout, induced seismic activity, unacceptable sump material dumping sites and neutralization of biosensitive sump materials, possible impact of heavy metals and materials such as boron and chloride generally from condensed steam phase, and system-wide leakages or emissions due to breakdowns, punctures or vandalism, full or partial steam and gases vented to the atmosphere, or additional environmental changes of air or water quality, such as:

    1.

    Impact of potential acid rainfall and potential effect on vegetation, wildlife, aquatic organisms, human health, air chemistry and agricultural production, noncondensible gas impact from methane, argon, mercury, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, ethane, radon and daughter products, etc.,

    2.

    Potential transformation from hydrogen sulfide to sulphur dioxide through contact with oxygen-hydrogen ions, in partially polluted air and possibly from photo-oxidation of hydrogen sulfide would contribute to existing smog level; probability of significant effects from dissemination of these substances as both gases and aerosols are present over the county, especially Napa, Pope and Chiles Valleys and Lake Berryessa,

    3.

    Location and intensity of localized concentrations or accumulated effects, both localized and general, of increased levels of emissions from full field development, arising from steam, associated condensible and noncondensible gases, and other materials such as boron, chlorides, heavy metals (particularly mercury, lead and copper) and radioactive materials (particularly radon and its daughter products), on the environment, especially on all types of biota in relation to standards such as those of EPA, State Health Department, agricultural codes, etc.,

    4.

    Local and regional climate modifications, including increased fog, possible formation of rime ice during the winter months, and increased humidity contributing to localized changes in near-ground climate regimes;

    F.

    Geothermal plants release considerable quantities of heat, water vapor and steam into the atmosphere. Depending upon the atmospheric conditions and the magnitude of the effluents, the effects of such releases may be visible plumes, local cloud formation, more extended cloud formation such as stratus and sheets of cumulus clouds and, in a valley situation, increased incidence and duration of ground fog and icing on the ground and elevated structures;

    G.

    Geothermal, oil or gas exploration and development, improperly conducted, will have adverse impacts on vineyards, grazing lands and other agricultural activities, irrigation and domestic water supply reservoirs, recreation usage, and adverse impact on fish and wildlife areas due to the current limited state of programs developed to mitigate adverse impacts associated with such activities.

(Ord. 499 § 1 (part), 1976: prior code § 10400)