§ 23.08.174. Development Standards for Resource Extraction Wells.
The following standards apply to all resource extraction wells:
a.
Bonding. Performance guarantees to assure compliance with applicable provisions of this title, conditions of approval and other applicable regulations, shall be provided as follows:
(1)
Single Bonds. Following approval of a drilling permit and prior to any work on the proposed drilling site, the applicant is to post a surety bond in the sum of $5000 per well, in favor of the county, that the applicant (who shall be named in the bond) shall faithfully comply with all applicable conditions, restrictions, and requirements of this Title and, any conditions required by the applicable review authority, APCD regulations, and any conditions of approval in drilling or redrilling and maintaining all surface production facilities as required by this title, or APCD regulations and conditions of approval, until abandonment of such facilities pursuant to this title. The bond shall secure the San Luis Obispo County against all expenses incurred on account of any failure of the applicant to comply with the provisions of this title, APCD regulations and any conditions of approval. The bond shall include the correct name or number of the well and such other information as may be necessary to readily identify the well. Such guarantee is in addition to any bond required by the state.
b.
Site development.
(1)
Roads and access. Roadwork and grading for drillsite preparation shall be limited to that necessary for site access and shall be designed and orientated to minimize cut and fill slopes and removal of vegetation. Roads shall be maintained in a dust-free condition by periodic watering or by compacted surfacing. A grading permit may be required for drillsite access roads and site preparation, as determined by Section 23.05.020 (Grading).
(2)
Clearing and Revegetation. The land area exposed and the vegetation removed during construction shall be the minimum necessary to install and operate the facility. Topsoil shall be stripped and stored separately. Disturbed areas no longer required for production will be regraded, covered with topsoil and replanted during the next appropriate season.
(3)
Well locations. A well hole, derrick or tank shall not be placed closer than 100 feet of any residence, or closer than 25 feet from any public road, street or highway.
(4)
Drilling within a community. The following standards apply to drilling operations within urban or village reserve lines or Residential Suburban land use categories:
(i)
Portable rig required. Drilling operations shall utilize portable drilling apparatus only, which shall be removed from the site within five calendar days from completion of drilling.
(ii)
Hours of operation. Drilling operations may continue uninterrupted once started. Delivery of materials, equipment, tools or pipe shall occur only between the hours of 7 a.m. and 9 p.m., or such other hours as the Planning Commission may establish, except in case of emergency.
(5)
Sumps and waste disposal. All waste substances such as drilling muds, oil, brine, or acids produced or used in connection with oil drilling operations or oil production shall be retained in watertight receptors, from which they can be piped or hauled for terminal disposal in a dumping area specifically approved for such disposal by the Regional Water Quality Control Board. The use of unprotected earthen sumps is prohibited except during drilling operations. Any allowed sump located within view of any public street or within 1,000 feet of any residence is to be enclosed with a fence not less than five nor more than 10 feet in height, mounted on steel posts with not less than three strands of barbed wire around the top, except when an earthen sump is under continuous supervision and use during drilling operations. Fencing is to be constructed of woven wire fencing or equivalent of not greater than six inch mesh.
(6)
Fire protection. Fire fighting apparatus and supplies, approved by the county Fire Department shall be maintained on the site at all times during drilling and production operations.
(7)
Completion of drilling. The applicant shall notify the Planning Director within 10 days after completion or abandoning the facility. Within 30 days after completion or abandonment of an exploratory or production well, all derricks, other drilling apparatus and equipment, including any earthen sumps, are to be removed from the site and the sumps filled, except as provided in subsection b(3) of this section, for drilling in urban areas. After completion of drilling, any necessary servicing or maintenance of wells may utilize portable derricks, if needed.
c.
Well operation and site maintenance.
(1)
Landscaping. Within 30 days after the completion of the drilling of a producing well within view of any public street or any residence, production equipment is to be screened, and the entire extraction site, including disturbed areas not directly related to the extraction are to be revegetated and thereafter maintained as shown on the approved landscaping plan. This requirement is not applicable in Agriculture and Rural Lands categories outside of urban and village reserve lines.
(2)
Site maintenance. The drillsite, permanent equipment and approaches to the site are to be kept in a clean, neat appearing condition free from debris, other than necessary and incidental drilling equipment and supplies. The site shall be maintained so as to prevent any accumulation of oil, oil products, or oil-coated boards, materials or equipment which might cause fumes or odors detrimental to adjoining property.
(3)
Storage tanks. Oil storage tanks erected or maintained on the premises are to be removed no later than 180 days after the first well on the site is completed except where located as part of a permanent tank battery authorized through Development Plan approval. Oil produced thereafter is to be transported from the drilling site by means of an underground pipeline connected directly with the producing pump without venting to the atmosphere at the drilling site. This requirement is not applicable in Agriculture and Rural Lands categories outside urban and village reserve lines.
(4)
Parking and loading. All parking and loading activities related to well drilling or production are to occur on-site.
(5)
Signing. Only directional, instructional and warning signs, and signs required for identification of a well may be placed on the premises.
(6)
Operating wells. Pumping wells are to be operated by electric motors or muffled internal combustion engines. Pumping units within urban or village reserve lines or Residential Suburban land use categories are to be installed within pits or above-grade structures which screen all mechanical equipment from the view of public roads or adjoining properties and which reduce noise generated by pumping equipment to within the limits specified by Section 23.06.040 (Noise Standards).
(7)
Violations. If the facility is operated in a manner that violates the standards or conditions of this section or any other required permit, the applicant shall:
(i)
Immediately stop, contain, or correct the unauthorized action or inaction.
(ii)
Within 30 days of the violation, inform the Planning Director in writing about the cause of the violation, its effects, and corrective action the applicant took in response to the violation and proposes to take to prevent a reoccurrence of the violation or its cause.
d.
Periodic inspection. All active wells will be inspected annually by the department of planning and building. The applicant shall pay the costs of such inspections pursuant to the county fee ordinance.
e.
Well abandonment. The abandonment of an oil well, shall occur as follows:
(1)
All production and processing facilities related to the well shall be removed from the site unless they have been approved for use with another adjacent well.
(2)
The well site and surroundings affected by drilling operations shall be restored, including recontouring as necessary, and revegetated to achieve a natural-appearing condition which will approximate their original vegetative and topographic state.
(3)
The applicant shall notify the Planning Director within 10 days after abandoning the well and associated facilities.
(4)
The requirements of title 7.04 of this code shall be complied with.
(5)
The applicant shall report the well abandonment as required to the California Department of Conservation, Division of Oil and Gas, and the applicant shall provide the Director of Planning and Building a copy of the response received from the division of oil and gas regarding completion of abandonment in accordance with their requirements.