Humboldt County Municipal Code § 57.1 Oil and Gas Drilling and Processing

The purpose of these regulations is to provide for development of new or expanded oil and gas

wells and pipelines in the least environmentally damaging location and manner feasible, and to provide for public review of proposed oil and gas wells and associated development in order to effectuate this purpose. (Former Section CZ#A314-27(A))

These regulations shall apply in all zones in which the Oil and Gas Drilling and Processing

use type is permitted. (Former Section CZ#A314-27(B))

In addition to the application materials required to be

submitted under the permit procedure in this Code, applications for oil and gas wells and associated facilities shall contain information sufficient to determine that the project will be so sited and designed as to mitigate, to the maximum extent feasible, adverse environmental effects. Application materials shall include, but are not limited to, the following: (Former Section CZ#A314-27(C))

facilities to the ultimate potential development; (Former Section CZ#A314-27(C)(1))

structures and facilities with natural and/or artificial features; (Former Section CZ#A314-27(C)(2))

Area, or in an area zoned AE Agricultural Exclusive, landscaping plans and measures for minimizing visual impacts; (Former Section CZ#A314-27(C)(5))

anticipated timetable and production levels for the project; and (Former Section CZ#A314-27(C)(9))

Where feasible, drillsites shall be established at a maximum density of one (1) site per

eighty acres (80a). (Former Section CZ#A314-27(D))

Separate permits shall be required for drillsites and production facilities. Applications

for new drillsites or production facilities shall be referred to the Hearing Officer for disposition after a noticed public hearing. Applications for additional wells at approved wellsites or for expanded production facilities require a Special Permit. (Former Section CZ#A314-27(E))

Oil and/or gas drilling and processing operations shall incorporate the following

mitigation: (Former Section CZ#A314-27(F))

where: (Former Section CZ#A314-27(F)(1))

would adversely affect production of the reservoirs; and (Former Section CZ#A314-27(F)(1)(a))

State Water Resources Control Board, and adequate provisions will be made for the elimination of petroleum odors and water quality problems. (Former Section CZ#A314-27(F)(1)(c))

Agricultural Land, or Riparian Corridors as defined in these regulations, directional drilling shall be employed to avoid these sensitive habitat areas, except where an independent engineering contractor, selected by the

County, determines that to do so would not be feasible. Where directional drilling is not feasible, mitigation measures shall include either acquisition of equivalent areas of equal or greater biological productivity or alternative mitigation consistent with Public Resources Code Section 30607.1. (Former Section CZ#A314-27(F)(2))

surface water supplies, shall not be permitted. All liquid drilling discharge wastes shall be accumulated in steel tanks prior to disposal at any approved disposal site; and such steel tanks shall be removed within thirty (30) days after completion or abandonment of the subject wells. (Former Section CZ#A314-27(F)(3))

deposition of the solid waste materials to be accomplished in compliance with the requirements of the Regional Water Quality Control Board. Disposal of oil field wastes which may pollute surface or subsurface water shall not be permitted. (Former Section CZ#A314-27(F)(4))

drilling mud, oil or other waste products from the drilling operation shall be cleaned up by removing such waste products or by consolidating them into the land by diking, harrowing, regrading and recontouring to restore the site to its original condition. The site shall be reseeded and planted to conform with the surrounding vegetation. (Former Section CZ#A314-27(F)(5))

Oil and gas drilling and processing shall be approved only if the applicable Extractive

Development Impact Findings of Chapter 2, Procedures, Supplemental Findings (312-2.19), are made. (Former Section CZ#A314-27(G)) 313-58 through 313-60 (Sections Reserved for Future Use) 313-61