Chapter 19.12 — UNLAWFUL ACTS

No person, firm, corporation or public agency shall, within the unincorporated area of the county, carry out any geothermal exploratory project unless a conditional use permit has first been obtained from the county planning commission pursuant to Title 18 of this code and the applicant complies with this title as well as all other applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations.

(Ord. 239 § 2.10, 1973)

No person, firm, corporation or public agency shall, within the unincorporated area of the county, carry out any geothermal production project until a conditional use permit has first been obtained from the county planning commission pursuant to Title 18 of this code and the applicant complies with this title as well as all other applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations.

(Ord. 239 § 2.20, 1973)

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Inyo County, CA

GEOTHERMAL RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

§ 19.16.010

§ 19.16.030

CHAPTER 19.16 PERMITS

Applications for conditional use permits for exploratory geothermal projects or geothermal production projects, shall be submitted to the county planning commission pursuant to Chapter 18.21 of this code. All applications shall be processed in the same manner as provided by said Title 18, except as expressly supplemented by this chapter. (Ord. 239 § 4.10, 1973)

In addition to the information required in the application for a conditional use permit an applicant must also submit with said application the following:

• A. A definite proposal for the work to be done;

• B. A surface plat of the property to be explored, including:

  1. Surface location sites of proposed activities including the size, and shape of locations and access roads,

  2. North arrow, scale, date, and contours of the land where the grade exceeds two percent,

  3. The boundary of the parcel to be explored,

  4. The location of existing roads, waterways, recreational and cultural features including the present use of the property to be explored and use of the surrounding property,

  5. The location of any anticipated test facilities including complete engineering data concerning testing and waste discharge;

• C. Written proof that the project has been approved by the State Division of Oil and Gas and that all requirements of the county health department and the Lahontan Region water quality control board have been met;

• D. A timetable showing a schedule of projected activities. (Ord. 239 § 4.20, 1973)

In addition to the information required to be submitted with the conditional use permit application, an applicant for a geothermal production project shall submit the following:

• A. A conditional use permit application for a geothermal exploratory project or a copy of an existing permit;

• B. A definite proposal for all anticipated development;

• C. A tentative map showing:

  1. The size and location of all proposed wells and related surface facilities, including,

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Inyo County, CA

GEOTHERMAL RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

§ 19.16.030

§ 19.16.070

but not limited to, power generation, mineral extraction, desalination or other surface facilities,

2. North arrow, scale, date and contours of land where the grade exceeds two percent,

3. The location of existing and proposed access roads, waterways and cultural features, including the present use of the property to be developed and the use of surrounding property,

4. The boundary of the parcel to be developed,

5. The location of any facilities which will have waste discharge, including complete engineering data concerning any holding ponds, or reservoir proposed in connection with waste discharge requirements;

• D. A general geologic and engineering presentation showing enough data to demonstrate that the area contains geothermal resources;

• E. A timetable showing a schedule of projected development;

• F. Written proof that the program for wells has been approved by the State Division of Oil and Gas and that all tests and waste discharge operations have been filed with the county health department and the Lahontan Region water quality control board;

• G. An application for approval of any additional anticipated land use needs such as extra facilities and proposed sites for new industry.

• (Ord. 239 § 4.30, 1973)

The planning commission shall set a public hearing for the application for a conditional use for a geothermal exploratory project or a geothermal production project. All matters pertaining to the public hearing shall be pursuant to Chapter 18.81 of this code. (Ord. 239 § 4.40, 1973)

No conditional use for a geothermal exploratory project or a geothermal production project shall be approved, except where such approval is made contingent upon the written acceptance and continued observance of the specific conditions contained in Chapter 19.20. Said conditions shall be in addition to any other conditions imposed by the planning commission. (Ord. 239 § 4.50, 1973)

The planning commission reserves the right to deny any application if it will not be compatible with the area, is environmentally unsound, or that in its findings, some of the conditions or standards cannot be satisfactorily met. (Ord. 239 § 4.60, 1973)

A reasonable timetable for project development shall be made a condition of any permits

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Inyo County, CA

INYO COUNTY CODE

§ 19.16.070

§ 19.16.070

granted. (Ord. 239 § 4.70, 1973)

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Inyo County, CA

GEOTHERMAL RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

§ 19.20.010

§ 19.20.070