§ 16.16.070. Oil and gas or geothermal exploration or development projects.  


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  • To obtain a permit for an oil and gas or geothermal resources exploration or development project, an operator shall submit a use permit application. Application is deemed submitted when items listed in subsections (A) and (B)(1) through (B)(5) of this section are submitted in a manner acceptable to the director, and application fee is accepted. The following procedures shall be followed, and the following information shall be submitted:

    A.

    An application for a permit for a temporary exploratory probe, if appropriate, or a copy of the existing permit therefor;

    B.

    An application for a permit for an oil and gas or geothermal resources exploration or development project. As a part of the application, the operator shall submit to the commission for its approval ten copies of a proposal for the oil and gas or geothermal resources exploration or development project which includes, but is not limited to the following data:

    1.

    Name, location, elevation and depth of the well or wells to be drilled,

    2.

    Name, address and telephone number of all operators, all property owners, and the operator's designated agencies,

    3.

    Each application shall contain a letter from the property owner that the operator and applicant have the owner's consent to explore for and develop oil, gas or geothermal resources on the subject property,

    4.

    A brief description of owner and operators' expertise, previous performance record, any refusal, default or forfeiture of bonds, violation citations by regulatory agencies, litigation pending or settled regarding environmental matters, and education and experience of personnel principally involved in environmental impact mitigation and monitoring of the subject project,

    5.

    The developer-proposed site and access road on a map scaled at one inch equals five hundred feet (1″ = 500′) and a general area map showing the leasehold boundaries and leasehold and adjoining assessor's parcel numbers,

    6.

    A general statement of intent, scope, and expected drilling schedule, including dates of lease requirements for drilling, and any pertinent lease terms that may affect transfer of geothermal resources across property boundaries, county boundaries, etc.;

    C.

    A conference will be held between developer representatives and the director to:

    1.

    Clarify procedures and requirements, and identify environmental concerns by an on-site inspection by either the director or by a county-designated environmental consultant,

    2.

    Adjust site location to the best site accessible to the target area, using any general environmental guidelines deemed appropriate by the director, and determine the size of the area required;

    D.

    A geological report regarding the access road and well-site stability shall be submitted upon the request of the director. This geological report shall be done under the supervision of a county-designated engineering geologist and funded in the same manner as provided for an environmental impact report pursuant to the county's guidelines;

    E.

    The information described in succeeding subdivisions of this section shall be submitted after completion of the preceding phases and the site is adjusted and approved, if requested by the director;

    F.

    Detail map with north arrow, scale, date and the following information:

    1.

    The location of test and measurement facilities, including complete engineering data concerning any holding pond or reservoir proposed in connection with testing and waste discharge requirements,

    2.

    Surface location sites of proposed wells, including size and shape of drilling locations and all access roads and zoning districts, vicinity map (scale one inch equals two thousand feet) showing nearest highway and city,

    3.

    The locations of existing roads, waterways and cultural features, including the present use of the property to be developed, and the use of surrounding property within a distance of two miles from the outer boundary of the leasehold,

    4.

    A tentative plan showing the size and location of power generation, mineral extraction, desalination, pumping stations and other surface facilities, including their relationship to known geological fault zones,

    5.

    A copy of any permit for temporary exploratory probe issued by the county or other agency;

    G.

    A copy of the permit approved by the State Division of Oil and Gas, and written evidence that, where required, all test and waste discharge operations have been submitted to and are being processed by the appropriate State Regional Water Quality Control Board, Air Resources Board, Air Pollution Control District, Radiological Health Section of the State Department of Public Health, and other appropriate state and federal agencies;

    H.

    Plans for any additional anticipated land use needs, such as extra facilities and proposed sites for industrial or other related uses; further exploration and development wells, probes and other facilities will require additional use permits;

    I.

    A description of the noise-attenuation program which the operator will employ, including estimates of sound pressure levels, scale and frequency bands which are expected from generators, air compressors, blooie lines, cleanout and test operations after attenuation;

    J.

    An estimate of water needs for the proposed operation, a statement of where the water will be obtained and disposed of, certification of availability and right to use water, and copies of applications to the State Division of Water Rights for any additional water requirements;

    K.

    A statement of the operator's program for the control of particulate matter and other air contamination deriving from construction, well drilling and cleanout, machinery operation and vehicular traffic.

(Ord. 499 § 1 (part), 1976: prior code § 10426 (b))