Title
a. Receive status update on the State of California's oil well stimulation treatment regulations and staff's development of amendments to Title 21 (inland zoning) of the Monterey County Code relating to exploration and removal of oil and gas;
b. Provide direction to staff related to the Planning Commission's recommendation for an interim urgency ordinance temporarily prohibiting certain oil well stimulation techniques.
(Status Report - REF130051/Oil well stimulation treatment regulations, County-wide)
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the Board of Supervisors receive a status update regarding amendments to the Monterey County Code (MCC) for exploration and removal of oil and gas, and provide staff with direction on the recommendation by the Planning Commission for an interim ordinance pertaining to certain oil well stimulation techniques.
SUMMARY:
On April 30, 2014, the Planning Commission conducted a public hearing on a previous draft ordinance proposing amendments to Title 21 regulations pertaining to exploration for and removal of oil and gas, and the Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval to the Board of Supervisors. The Planning Commission also recommended that the Board consider adoption of an interim urgency ordinance temporarily prohibiting certain well stimulation techniques. On September 23, 2014, the State Department of Conservation (DOC) gave an informational presentation before the Board of Supervisors on oil well extraction techniques, including hydraulic fracturing and other methods defined by the state as "well stimulation." During this workshop, RMA-Planning staff stated that staff would return to the Board with recommendations for future amendments to current County inland zoning regulations relating to exploration and removal of oil and gas.
Staff has conducted two stakeholder outreach meetings, held in King City and Salinas, to gather input from the public regarding the following potential...
Click here for full text