Imperial County Municipal Code Ch. 2 Specific Standards

The following are specific standards applicable to geothermal projects.

A. All geothermal drilling sites including test facilities and ponds shall be as small as possible and in no case larger than five acres on farmable land. Exceptions may be considered on a well-by-well basis.

B. All geothermal drilling and production sites shall try to protect the fragile ecological balance of the wetlands and surrounding desert by assuring that natural resources will be considered in their location. Consideration shall be given to intermittent noise levels which may affect wildlife.

C. Every site shall be designed to retain the maximum amount of usable agricultural land and the site shall not interfere with the irrigation and drainage pattern, and shall comply with requirements and regulations of Imperial irrigation district. Drill sites shall be constructed adjacent to existing roads in so far as possible. Well density shall be justified and in accordance with good reservoir engineering practices.

D. Unless specifically waived by the approving authority, where legally permissible, the following minimum distances shall be observed in siting a well:

E. Developer shall mitigate any problems whenever they arise.

F. Production facilities shall, where possible, be located in centralized areas to serve the maximum number of wells. These shall include, but are not limited to, power plants, extraction plants, and separators.

G. All electric transmission lines shall be constructed in existing rights-of-way whenever possible. When planning transmission lines adjacent to public roads, discussions with the responsible road agency shall be held in order to minimize impacts on existing and future road needs. Power lines outside of the project site are under the jurisdiction of the Imperial irrigation district.

H. All permanent sumps, brine ponds, waste holding ponds, and any other pond, shall be designed and constructed to meet sound engineering standards and the regulations and requirements of the Regional Water Quality Control Board. Such sumps and ponds shall be designed and constructed under the supervision of a civil engineer registered in California.

(Prior code § 91702.00)

The following are general drilling standards applicable to geothermal projects.

A. All geothermal well sites shall have a durable sign having a surface of not less than two square feet and not more than six square feet bearing the current name and number of the well; emergency telephone number of agent; name and/or insignia of the operator and the owner. This sign shall be displayed at all times from the commencement of drilling operations until the well has been abandoned.

B. Each operator shall limit drilling noise to a sound level equivalent to CNEL sixty (60) dB(A). The level shown may be exceeded by ten percent (10%) if the noise is intermittent and during daylight hours. The noise levels shall be measured at the nearest human receptor site outside the parcel boundary.

C. South pressure levels shall be measured at the points specified and shall be measured with a sound level meter and associated octave band analyzer conforming to the above standard.

D. Diesel equipment used for drilling within three hundred (300) feet of any residence shall have hospital-type mufflers. Well venting and testing at these wells shall be accompanied by the use of an effective muffling device or silencer.

E. Within sixty (60) days after the completion of the drilling of a well, all drilling wastes must be removed from the drilling site and disposed of in accordance with county and state regulations.

F. Suitable and adequate sanitary facilities as approved by the Imperial County health department shall be installed and maintained in a clean and sanitary condition at all times.

G. Drilling operations shall be diligently pursued until each well is completed or abandoned. All drilling equipment, including derrick, shall be removed from the premises as soon as practicable after completion of any well.

H. Prior to abandonment, it shall be the responsibility of the operator to comply with all regulations of the county and the State Division of Oil and Gas regarding surface and subsurface activities. In agricultural or potential agricultural areas, any brine holding ponds shall be purged of brine, the salts shall be removed from the dikes and bottom, and the berms leveled to the satisfaction of the landowners and the planning director.

I. All work in preparation of the site for drilling shall be done between the hours of seven a.m. and seven p.m. for any wells within three hundred (300) feet of any residence. Exceptions may be made during summer hours to minimize effects of heat with notice to the planning director and approval thereof.

J. All unattended well sites shall be enclosed by a steel chain link type fence, six feet height. There shall be no opening below such fence greater than four inches. The gate shall be placed on a nonhazardous location and shall be locked at all times.

K. Off-street parking shall be provided with not less than five spaces for each well site.

L. Lights should be directed or shielded to confine direct rays to the project site and muted to the maximum extent consistent with safety and operational necessity.

M. Drill pipes shall be racked and/or make up between the hours of seven a.m. to seven p.m. for wells within three hundred (300) feet of a residence. Exception to this is allowed where sound proofing is provided, or during summer hours to minimize the effects of heat with notice to the planning director and approval thereof.

N. Fugitive dust emission shall be controlled by dust control measures (e.g., watering) clean gravel, application of soil stabilizers or oil on well site access roads, limiting public access on unpaved areas, and posting roadways with reduced speeds.

O. Impulse noises such as sudden steam venting shall be controlled by discharge through a muffler or other sound attenuating system, as appropriate.

P. All necessary permits shall be obtained prior to drilling.

Q. All well drilling, testing, and operations shall be conducted so as to be in harmony with the area and not in conflict with the public health, safety, comfort, convenience and general welfare of county residents.

R. No operator shall operate equipment that affects transmission of radio or television signals.

S. Drilling may be on a twenty-four (24) hour basis provided the standards above are met.

(Prior code § 91702.01)

The following are general production standards applicable to geothermal projects.

A. All grading, permanent foundations, buildings, structures, and other construction work will require a building permit. The fees and procedures will be based on the Uniform Building Code and ordinances adopted by the board of supervisors of Imperial County.

B. Continuous and intermittent sound shall be controlled to the levels listed above under the drilling standards.

C. All on-site roads and parking areas for major and test projects shall be adequately surfaced. On-site parking shall be provided for all employees, customer, or clients.

D. Shrubs, trees and ground cover shall be planted and maintained to compliment the appearance of the project where soil conditions permit as appropriate, and as approved by the planning director.

E. All major project off-site collection and injection pipelines shall, if possible, share existing dedicated rights-of-way. All pipelines shall be painted and/or landscaped to blend with the environment. Pipelines may be allowed above grade for maintenance, leak detection, and wildlife movement. For permanent pipelines to be installed adjacent to public roads, project developers shall consult with department of public works and Imperial irrigation district regarding the proper location of the pipeline in consideration of existing and future road needs.

F. In operations where it is necessary to transport geothermal brines, fluids, etc. across public waters, operators shall employ double-walled pipes and methods for determining when damage has been done to the inner layer of pipe so that corrective measures can be taken, or apply other safety techniques as approved by the planning director and after review by the Imperial irrigation district.

G. All facilities and structures shall be in compliance with guidelines set forth in Federal Air Regulations Part 77 and be marked and lighted in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration standards.

(Prior code § 91702.02)