HomeMy WebLinkAbout1.0 ApplicationlDiS
Garfield County I
Community Development Department
108 8th Street, Suite 401
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
(970) 945-8212
www.garfield-countv.com
;ryp~ Ofi APPLICATION
D Administrative Review
D Limited Impact Review
D Major Impact Review
D Amendments to an Approved LUCP
OLIR DMIR DsuP
D Minor Temporary Housing Facility
D Vacation of a County Road/Public ROW
D Location and Extent Review
D Comprehensive Plan Amendment
D Major D Minor
D Pipeline Development
~NO WSE €NANG·E PrERMm
~P-Pil!IGATl0N fr0RM ·
D Development in 100-Year Floodplain
D Development in 100-Year Floodplain Variance
Iii Code Text Amendment
D Rezoning
D Zone OistrictD PUD D PUD Amendment
D Administrative Interpretation
D Appeal of Administrative Interpretation
D Areas and Activities of State Interest
D Accommodation Pursuant to Fair Housing Act
D Variance
D Time Extension (also check type of original application)
! INVOLV~ PARTIES
Owner I Applicant
Name: Board of County Commissioners Phone: (970 )945-8212
Malling Address: 108 8th Street .
crty: Glenwood Springs State: CO Zip Code: 81601
E-mail:
Representative (Authorization Required)
Name: Director of Community Development Phone: (970 )945-8212
Malling Address: 108 8th Street
City: Glenwood Springs State: CO Zip Code: 81601
1
E-mail : fjarman@garfield-county.com
PROJEGF NAME AND LOCATION
Project Name:
Text Amendment to the definition of Hydraulic Fracturing, Remote Surface Location
Assessor's Parcel Number: NA ___ -. ---------
Physical/Street Address: NA
Legal Desert ptlon: NA
Zone District: Property Size (acres):
I
IPROJECT DESCRIPTION
Existing Use=-------------------~----------
Proposed Use (From Use Table 3-403): ----------------------
Description of Project: _ ..... ~-"--"'""; )._.1 .... ci ..... "'-"""""""'---'-l ~_..frr:..._.__,b......,Z_~_,.___._/_,.5:;........;o;_+f---'-~~__,.L"""v;;....i.::Q.;...c;,,_,,... __ _
.REQ"'EST FOR· WAIVERS
Submission Requirements
CJ The Applicant requesting a Waiver of Submission Requirements per Section 4-202. List:
Section: Section:
Section: Section:
Waiver of Standards
CJ The Applicant is requesting a Waiver of Standards per Section 4-118. List:
Section: Section:
Section: Section:
I have read the statements above and have provided the required attached Information which is
correct and accurate to the best of my knowledge.
TL -c.J/L:-
Signature of Property Owner Date I '
OFFIGIAL USE ONLY
FlleNumber::f':i1:5?-8 ~~ Fee Paid:$ 'fi .oO
-~¥>-------------~
MEMO
TO: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
FROM: TAMRA ALLEN, PLANNING MANAGER
DATE: FEBRUARY 9, 2015
RE: WATER STORAGE PITS RELATED TO HYDRAULIC FACTURING REMOTE SURFACE FACILITIES
Staff has received request from representatives of WPX to clarify the County's position on the definition
of Hydraulic Fracturing, Remote Surface Facility. Specifically, could the associated water storage occur
in open air water pits in addition to tanks.
On January 18, 2010, the Board met at a meeting in Rifle, CO to discuss the land use issues related to
Hydraulic Fracturing and how the use fit within the County's land use framework. At that time, the
County's land use resolution was silent on hydraulic fracturing and how it was to be reviewed by the
County. After lengthy discussion, the Board agreed that remote Hydraulic Fracturing was a part of
advancing the borehole and was to be considered a by-right use and was to be interpreted to be
included in the definition as Oil and Gas Drilling and Production. This direction was subsequently
codified in the 2013 rewrite of the Land Use and Development Code and was explicitly defined as
Hydraulic Fracturing, Remote Surface Facility ("fracing facility). In the code update from September 2,
2014 the use was further refined to be defined as Hydraulic Fracturing, Remote Surface Location.
In the January 18, 2010 meeting (both meeting minutes and video recording were reviewed),
representatives from a variety of industry stakeholders presented and provided an overview of the
functional nature of a tracing facility. Remote tracing facilities were characterized for the Board as good
for Garfield County, and in summary, included :
• Hydraulic fracing was an essential part of the advancement of the borehole and allowing the
wells produce economically in tight sand formations;
• facilities are temporary and not in continuous use;
• facilities held between 30-60 tanks that were bermed;
• frac fluid was moved through surface flow lines to the well pads and then backflowed to the
tanks;
• facilities minimized new disturbances;
• the tanks would be removed and the site reclaimed underscoring the "temporary" nature of the
use;
• facilities reduced impacts including, traffic and odor, etc;
• facilities could be up to 2 miles away from the wellhead;
• facilities were permitted through a COGCC Form 2a; and
• remote facilities enable the overall footprint of well pads to be reduced.
Today's definition of Hydraulic Fracturing, Remote Surface Location does not differentiate
between tanks and open water pits. As previously presented, tanks were represented to be the
predominate means of water storage on a remote location, thus staff seeks direction as to
whether or not pits are to be considered as part of the fracing location as a by-right use.
Definition from Article 15 of the Land Use and Development Code.
Hydraulic Fracturing, Remote Surface Location. A COGCC-opproved surface location used
for staging materials and equipment to pump hydraulic fracturing fluid to 1 or more COGCC·
approved well locations for the purpose of advancing the wellbore and increasing the
productivity of the well through hydraulic fracturing as part of the well completion activity.
Excerpt from the Use Table, Table 3-403 showing Hydraulic Fracturing, Remote Surface Location
p A 7-1001
A A p e I p p p p 7-1001
L L • p p p p 7-1001
- ----
and Gas Drlllng and Produdlon p p p p p p p . '
p P I p p EXEMPT
Pits generally have different impacts on the land than tanks. They tend to be longer-term, less
temporary, and cause more impacts (odor, wildlife, etc) than tanks. As well, they were presumed to be
only temporary installations on previously disturbed land. Pits can be significant in size (as pictured
below-90,000 barrels and approximately 0 .8-1.25 acres in size) and can be a more permanent type of
facility (eg. In operation for more than 3 years).
Staff ls seeking direction from the Board as to how to review pits related to fracing locations. For
example:
1 . Should pits of any size, longevity, and location considered by-right uses?
2 . Should pits be considered as water impoundments?
3. Should pits be considered as water impoundments only at a certain size or timeline
threshold?
If pits are considered as part of a tracing facility, they would be considered a permitted use in all zone
districts and exempt from the County's land use code. Should the County chose to consider pits related
to Hydraulic Fracturing as use to be regulated, staff would suggest the following considerations:
1. Include water pits associated with hydraulic fracturing in the definition of Water
lmpoundment
2. Allow water pits to be considered by-right uses in all Resource Lands Zone Districts
Definition from Article 15 of the land Use and Development Code.
Water lmpoundment. Confined water such as surface pits or ponds, wastewater
treatment settling ponds, surface mining ponds, detention and retention ponds,
artificial lakes and ponds (not related to agriculture), and produced water and
condensate tonks. Water impoundment excludes tonks with a total tonk volume of
5,000 barrels or fewer used exclusively for activities associated with Oil and Gos
Drilling and Production, and Injection Wells.
Attachments:
1. letter from WPX dated January 28, 2014
2. Meeting minutes from January 18, 2010.
January 28, 2015
Garfield County Board of County Commissioners
Cc: Fred Jarman, Director Community Development Department
Tamra Allen, Planning Manager Community Development Department
108 81h Street, Suite 401
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
Delivered: via e-mail
WPXENERGY ..
Re: Request for Clarification Hydraulic Fracturing, Remote Surface Facility Definition
Dear Mr. Jarman, Ms. Allen and the Garfield County Board of County Commissioners,
Thank you for hearing WPX Energy's request for clarification of the Hydraulic Fracturing, Remote
Surface Facility definition set forth in the Garfield County Land Use and Development Code
("LUDC'). This request is a result of a meeting between WPX Energy and Mr. Jarman and Ms . Allen
on December 23, 2014. At that time, due to differing interpretations of the LUDC between WPX
Energy and the Staff, it was agreed to seek the Board's interpretation on the Hydraulic Fracturing,
Remote Surface Facility Use-by-Right definition.
Hydraulic Fracturing, Remote Surface Location. A COGCC-approved surface location used for
staging materials and equipment to pump hydraulic fracturing fluid to 1 or more COGCC-opproved
well locations for the purpose of advancing the wellbore and increasing the productivity of the well
through hydraulic fracturing as port of the well completion activity.
WPX Energy believes the Hydraulic Fracturing, Remote Surface Facility definition allows the use of
water recycling pits on the COGCC-approved surface location used for hydraulic fracturing. These
water recycling pits directly support remote hydraulic fracturing operations associated with drilling
and production. Moreover, these water recycling pits are regulated by the Colorado Oil and Gas
Conservation Commission (COGCC) for installation, operation and maintenance and the Colorado
Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) regarding air compliance.
It is WPX Energy's understanding that the intent of the LUDC is not to dictate how Hydraulic
Fracturing, Remote Surface Facilities may operate but simply to describe where and if an activity
may occur in a specific zone district. This is critical, because hydraulic fracturing technology
continues to evolve, operations on a remote surface facility may also evolve in order for WPX Energy
to manage its operations using the best and most efficient methodology and procedures.
The water recycling pits on the remote surface facility are a perfect example of the operational
efficiency WPX employs. Water recycling pits allow WPX to recycle 100% of produced water used in
completions eliminating the need to use fresh water. It also allows flexibility in ensuri ng as many
1058 CR 215 f Parachute, CO 81635 I 970-623-8915 I www.wpxenergycom
wells as possible are completed (frac'd) maximizing the production potential of an area. Water recycling
pits allow Industry to accommodate unpredictable changes of rig schedules, activity levels, and costs
associated with permitting, constructing, closing and reopening locations.
Water recycling pits reduce the overall well location footprint allowing simultaneous operations to occur
both on the location being drilled and off by staging from another COGCC-approved surface location.
Staging reduces truck traffic because trucks mobilize only once instead of multiple times to support the
operations. Mobilizing once also decreases personnel and increases operational safety. WPX Energy has
received support from Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), the Bureau of land Management (BLM) and
many landowners for this type of Hydraulic Fracturing, Remote Surface Facility.
It does not make sense to WPX Energy that if the produced water was placed in tanks, it would be
allowed as a Use-by-Right as part of the Hydraulic Fracturing, Remote Surface Facility under the LUDC,
but if the produced water is in a pit, it suddenly is considered a Water lmpoundment, subject to
expensive and time consuming permitting requirements with Garfield County. Particularly in today's
economic environment with respect to commodity prices, such a decision would definitely impact WPX
Energy's ability to operate competitively and efficiently in the Piceance Basin.
WPX Energy respectively requests the Board to confirm WPX Energy's interpretation of the Hydraulic
Fracturing, Remote Surface Facility to include water recycling pits as a Use-by-Right; and that such pits
do not constitute Water Impoundments subject to land Use Change Permitting.
We appreciate and thank everyone for their time and attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Ashlee Fechino
Regulatory Specialist Sr.
Attachments: Hydraulic Fracturing, Remote Surface Facility Definition
Table 3-403 Use Table from LUDC
Cc: Tyler Bittner, Piceance District Manager
Brad Moss, District Production Manager
Chad Odegard, VP Asset Team Piceance
Ann Lane, Senior Council legal Affairs
Phil Vaughan, President, PVCMI
historic preservation programs that have been certified either:
1. By an approved State program as determined by the Secretary of the
Interior or;
2. Directly by the Secretary of the Interior in states without approved
programs.
Home Office/Business. Any use for profitable or charitable purposes carried on as an
Accessory Use within a dwelling unit or a building accessory to the dwelling unit that does not
create the appearance or impact of a commercial activity.
Homeowner Association or Owners Association. The association set up to enforce the
covenants and maintain all common areas and buildings for a development and any association
established under Title 7 of the Colorado Revised Statutes.
Horizontal Surface. See "Airport Imaginary Surfaces.·
Hospital. An institution providing health services primarily, but not exclusively, for human
inpatient medical or surgical care for sick or injured . including related facilities such as
laboratories. outpatient departments, training and central services facilities, and staff offices.
Hotel. See "Lodging Facilities."
Hydraulic Fracturf ng. The process of creating small cracks or fractures in the underground
geolog ical formations by using a controlled high pressure injection of fluid or proppant (usually
sand) to allow oil or natural gas to flow into the wellbore and thereby increasing productivity of
the well.
Hydraulic Fracturing, Remote Surface Location. A COGCC-approved surface location used
for staging materials and equipment to pump hydraulic fracturing fluid to 1 or more COGCC-
approved well locations for the purpose of advancing the wellbore and increasing the
productivity of the well through hydraulic fracturing as part of the well completion activity.
Illumination, Direct. Lighting by means of an unshielded light source that is effectively visible
when the light travels directly from the source to the viewer's eye.
Illumination. Indirect. Lighting by means of a light source directed at a reflecting surface in a
way that illuminates the sign from the front or a light source that is primarily designed to
illuminate without direct travel from the source to the viewer's eye.
Impact. The direct or indirect effect or consequence resulting from a development upon land,
the environment, the community, or any part or segment thereof. The term shall include, but
not be limited to, physical, environmental, economic, visual, auditory, or social consequences or
effects.
Impact Area (Project). As it pertains to Arti cle 14, those geographic areas, i ncluding the
development area , in which any impacts are likely to be caused by the project.
Impervious Area/Surface. Surfaces constructed of materials that are largely impenetrable to
water or other liquids or of materials that have high run-off coefficients or curve numbers such
as asphalt, concrete, brick, clay, compacted dirt, gravel and other site features such as roofs or
structures (comparable to a Rational coefficient higher than 0.75).
GARFIELD COUNTY LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT COD! 15-16
M
p p p p p
p A
7-1001
p EXEMPT
7-100
L . • 7-100
L L L • A 7-1001
5e1Vlce L L L • A 7-1001
M 7-1001
A
Fabrication A L 7-1001
L 7-1001
GARFIELD COUNTY LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT CODE
IDl'mlr: Houpt -aye Mlnla -l)'C OpposcdS--1,c
SOUTH BRIDGE
DoD wullcd di=ticia DD a lclacr &ocn Olcawaod Spinas CODCallfns pll'lic:ipaliali lo furthcf 1llldlcs oa lbc
Soucb Bridie aad bis llllllc$andia1 ls that die Bolrd waau tbat 1ct rar IWtllcr dilClllllo11 at Ille 11C.U
mcctina-
NEW COUN'n' BUILDING
itqNdi!ll lhe dcvclopaat a( Ille DCW jlldlcill lidll!)' Df Ille ldalinl11111ion bailcllll1 l11 Cilcawood Splap,
k 11 bl11111Cfcnuncli1! Ille Baud W11111 that ICt fir the llCll lllCding.
Chalrmu Mlltia aaicl &be rwon tho.a m 1ct ao lhc 11Cllda 11 l'or Ille pullUc penlclpatlon.
In fe'IW: Houpe • t)'C M1n1n • eye 5lmloa -aye
DE1'ERMINE BY FACTUAL FJNOING IF THE RIGHT.OF·WAY OF COUNTY ROAD 31Z
PREVENTS JOINT USE OF THE AFFECTED, PROPOSED EXEMmON LOTS FOR THE
SMITH-ORR PARCEL ~OWNERIAPPLICANT; LACY ORR ANO GIL SMITH, REPRESENTED
BY JOHN TAUFER AND ASSOCIATES, INC. -MOLLY ORKJLD-LARSON
Mally Orkild.Lmnn, Jaha Taufc:r llld Deb Quinn wen: pracoL
Mally lllbmhlcd Ille f0Dowin1 cMRllts: E.Uillit A-Oltftcld Caunty Ullillcd Land Use Raahnlaa afl009,
11 llllClldcd; Ea"'"bit 8 • Uarfleld Caunty Comprchem lvc Pllll af2000, 11 llllClldcd; Eahibit C • Steff
MC111Drllld11111 aml Ealu1'it D • Eacmpcion Pllt Mta.
Project Bacqnmnd
The 71.4 .. crc pui:cl Is spl it by C.Sty R.t l ll (Cll l ll) willl the 1111jarily (51.4 1e1a) or Ille pn:ipc:ny
litudcd nanJi ofCll 312. H~y. the llqcr pmn:cl bu been med faf apiculturlt pwpolCll (iniplcd
alilllil md llQICI) wtJam IJlc lllllllcr plrCd Clllllisla Df ullw: vcptiOll (Oamllcl Olk, f'I-. 11111
Juniper), The ~ of CR l 12 crulCI llCCp CVll(aH llopa IJans tbc lllbjcct propcny raultins la I
situalioft wlladl7 accas IO Ille lllllllc:r pmccl f'nHll Cll l 12 ls qllCS(ionablc.
111 2007, the Apptlant ulllitlcd a Ma.for (4-IDt) Escmpdoe ud !'llllllc/Coamy Road Spllc applicatloll rar
1hc: AlllC palCCf but withdrew le dllC to ID OllU&llldiDI illUC rcprdiiia Ille localion a( DllC of the aistiq
.....:Ill DD SLM land. Attha& Limc, County dfl'-rccolMICllllU.1appnival ID tbc BOCC.
Ream1111111Utla ef F1Hfap
Tbc •pplicllion 111CC11 tis 1'C91ircmcm or N>IK:ICounry Road Spilt (Sccticms S·20l and 5..W) the
Oiifieid C111111ty llrrlfkdl.grid '4r RrlO/ulfoo oO(JOI. u amended,
StanRtcem-daU.O
s111ir recommends the Bolld io rllllf lbat tbc: ll*i ript-or·way JITCmllS jDinl use or thc pniposcd
&emption l.aai.
John Taufcr flied u c:acqition lf'PlicatlDD n:quCl!ia& J lais 1111 • 78 men: pua:I kalal on CR 312
IJllll'ldnwlel)' 6 mllc:s IOUlh arCR JJl ud 312 • U rcsultoflhc rd katlon It biscclJ cbc prvpcny; John
dclc:ribcd bow the propcny WIS lituatcd, bow RWI)' ICla Dll eecb 1kk of the 1'1114. BccalllC of Ille nimd
&ainl lhrouab Ille parcel, dai: arc llOlllll llecp cut llld fill alopc9 and ta a-. It 11 VCf1 dlflJaalL
Cblirmaa Manin llkcd Irk was .-i laocl.
Jolin Jiited it Is caccpc ror ooc llaulC built bide IA 1!172.
C1llinnan MIRID capllincd the road bas crcela:I a lwdslalp,
Beth Coat llltcd ahc liw:d 1IP there ror DVa' 40-)all INI it Is very 1autlful; Laq 11&1 • baulilld piece or
lftOllCl11· The C111111ty Rmd p:s daoup dlcn: llld tlaen: ii no amncctioa piq tom cbc wacr plcec to
thc Slllmllcr piece.
Jolin Taufer lltated Iha& llllfbu m:ciw:d appcova1. IA 200', be submlllcd • almillt tppllcalioo ead the lot
bu not cJiaated. At 11111 dlllC, lllfl'abo tcCGmmc:adcd llpllrOVIJ U well
C-mioncr Houpt 111d thc1 bm: acca 1ilmliom .tim: the IOld docs not dilnipc thc me or Jll'DPCfl)': 1*t
lookia1 a tllc pbalo bcR, It docs. I aallc • lllOtioa tllM we IUkc I &c:tull findlq lllll IJlc COlll!l1 Raid
rlalll-of'·WIY prcVCIU jaba lllC or die atrecled '* cumptloa loll u piac:alCd ., a.It Commbaloacr
SallllOll -Scamd.
In f'avar. ffoupt -l)'C Mmnia -ayc S--ayc
CONSIDER A REQUEST FROM PLANNING STA1FTO SCHEDULE A BOARD SITE VISIT
FORROADVACATIONSJ RVAC60A (IRON ROSE LAND AND CATTLE,LLV) FOR COUNTY
ROAD J!J. RVAC "''(IRON ROS& LAND ANO CATTLE. LLC) FOR COUNTY ROAD 165,
AND RVAC 6"1 (COLORADO ROCKY MOUNTAIN SCHOOL) FOR COUNTY ROAD 106,
ALL LOCATED IN THE CARBONDALE AREA-TOM VIUIC
On October 12, the BOllll ICI a schedule for lbnz IOld WClliom bciaJ CR Ul, Cll 165, llld Cll 106. On
Juuuy 13, the plallnlDI eammlulaa bid Ill (mz bclrio& 11111 m:llDllllClldldon, which will can: 10 you on
April Sad the other two me schakalad l'or Febiary 10 llefcm the p!lnnin1 cammlnian. At Ille October
12 mcetin1 it was discuucd tbq wauld bave a 1ltc mecd111 dltc Kl (or all dim lltu. He ta11ted lflc7
have I haria1 comla11ip April llcl'orc Ille Bolrd o(C-ty Coinmlsal1111a1 .
Tiiey decided on Tuesday, MW I h& 9;00 a.m. farcmyoae to meeut Tom'a omcc 11 the lldmlnlstntloo
blllldlDJ.
111 lilvor: Houpi -aye Manill •aye Slada11 -aye
DISCUSSION AND CONnRrtlATION ON COUNTY LANO US£ REGULATORY
REQUIREMENTS REGARDING REMOTE FRACTURING ON COGCC -APPROVED WELL
PADS ~ KA'lllY EASTLI.Y
~-· llricr1111:11111 ~ -clitcdiaa dill lllll'ls sccldq rqMllas n:pladna rcquRmcall
l'ar cainllml lditicl n:l•ld ID oil ad pa productlaa. Willlacns b here loday willl a prclCllllllon.
Ccnnllzed lic:Ukica arc ICtlvtdcl die COUlll)' w rcplalCd la the put mid we -bevc ~ hcial thl&
Is DCCUrrfa1 lllld aced dlncdoa aa reauWor1 requlrealcala.
Ann Luc caplalncd 11111 m11111e hcint Is llDl 1 ocw opcntlon and ha bcca IDiDI oa In Ille COmlJ 1iacc
1006 by Wiiiams Ind othcf apc:nlOn 11 well. '1bc1 were DDI ltfll'C thM tbc: S1111fbcllcw:d lllat tllis would
11c ., ICllvity rcplllcd by ar rcqsiriea pam111 dirouab the Caumy 1lmply bccallK Wilm 11111 read the
cadc llld 1111 ane ba ever bnluaJil it. rar pcnqlllbi1 t0 lbc COllllt)'. TD dieiii It clearly n111a 1k dcnaltian or
1 use by rips. She wlllll:d ID mcation It I• cowered by tllC coacc. 'Ibey uw sonc lhrouab c11tcasl¥e
n:writa of the n:platlam bi Colcndo llld they me Ille lllllll atri11pt tbrollpau& the UllllCd Sllta. Tiie
22
otllcr aood news is lhat mnotc fiaclna is aood for lbc colllll)'. Williams ploneacd lhls bcre and It hu been
used In olbcr 11a1c1. Tiiey ha¥c rccclv;d mmy 1wuds liven Ille COGCC llld 1bc BLM. 11 Rduccs lbclr
foolprinl an lhc wcll lcatlcms, lbc 1lm: aa lhe kadOlll ud suhsllmidly n:ducca ll1ICk cratric. Wbca lbl:
IDOb at lhc COUllCY'• old Ind acw coclc tbc aoa to SccUon l, Zoldq. It pnMdca la Ille Luci Ute Cade that
wbcn. a11 '£.._•~t11m •Ff!Ydlrt lh£('S)QCC'n•·1nrr1.,.1re•n J.2!!t ~f'N beck 10 * oa or aU llld au drilliq.11 b 1111)' opcndan uilllzilla cq11ipnal,
WliiCifilVlllca a bordlalc llllo IUbllrlll tor IS PlllJIOIC or dilcomy, cle¥dopaat 11111 pniduclklll of ail
111d pa. 11lat ii cuctly .mat l'CllllllC hclllg docs. It II llOt 1111eccacwy IO drilling lad pnduclion; It Is, b7
kl my llllue, lhc pvrpo1C or hdna ii to adYlnct die bon:halc. After lhcy llalsbcd driHl111 lhc well, diqr
pull out the drill pipe and then die)' have to mW: 1 dc:tcnnlnallon: do we complctc di: well or do we plu1
and lbMdoQ 1111: w.:11. ICdlcy make lhc dccbl1111 to eomplctc Ille wcll lkcn 1bc c:ompldiao opcnDam
ct1111lst ofpll!lltia c:ulna In Ille bale, w.: prqi II, wi: he le, which is die 1a1101c lildq llld dial they tel
surficc cquipmcaL We hive to do 1U tbosc 11q11 la Ol'dcr IO produce tho well. In lhe PICClllCC 8&sht, Ibey
would 11111 llo able IG come up with u camamlc: well lrlhcy did noc ao to lhc hchlg opmllou. Wbca
lbclr -1111s wu of wllcdicr tbl11cq11lml bc:lna IC\lkwl:d by )'Our stiff. Ibey looked 11 die coclc IDd It Iii
11q111rtly wldlin Ille deflnlti1111 or oll lllCI ps U11Yity oa u approved lkill aifl: by lhe COGCC. Ms. EudcJ
lllClltloncd In lier report lhll lhcrc uc caaln lllCt chM die CGUllty docs rcgulalc on 111 oil 1ad ps alte. She
docs nae diupcc. One oflbcm is lbc ccmpcniy employee housbla; bat Ibey lbiall: the dlff'cmlC:C lien: II
..talJc leqlllrary bouslnl Is ¥Cry mmtid the dih .. ii la dildnpisbablc bccllitc It ls DOC ID opcnQon
111ilizlq cquiplacllc, wla lcb ld\llllCCl a botcholc: iDlo the subtlntl. Rcaiocc hcin& Is. Oilier llCCtlons ID
dlscuulons with 11a1Ttbcy 111kcd about ntcrial hladlia1 Df p11111p llltlon. Apln. thc7 do DOI bc:llC\'c It
rcllly Ills wilbla lbotc ddlDI~ They do not bd.icvc dial wu lbc lmcat wbca put Into lhc code. Anolhcr
lauc, dtcrc ll'C impacU rclatlll1 to fClllOIC ldcing. They da not lflUC tbcrc ll'C lmplCIS IO ~ ftaclaa;
boWC\ICl', lhcy do uy lhlt the couat)' buchoacll iu own rcgulltlans DOI IO rcpl11e ICU\lldca on oll lllCI pt
silet u yo11 have Ver/ whcly rcc:op!zcd there Ii ID catcmi\le fClllllUlf)' pnlCCU It lbc llllC ml She
doca DOI llolicw: lmpKt lbould be lhc law: Ii=. Whh rapect IO 1111tcrid hlndliDg. It c1111a uadcr
ladustri1l 11K or acti\'ity but wbcn you loot at tlllc code die lndllllrill use orsai\lk)', Wlllllrial U1C or
activity ii ddlacd u 111CS capacd la pn:ica1iag or 111111u&csuria1 ar lllllcrilJ from either CSlllCICll or nw
awaW. Remote hclna docs aoi Ile iato pnxaalng or 11111111fiu:turins; it is pan ordll: dr0lln1 pracctL 11
II not like a PlllllP 1111ioa « • camprcuor llldOL le ls 110t 7~ !!!' ~ inllllillioa ~pmmL It
II w:ty IClllpllraty IDllllUnl wbcthcr it ls I maDli: Eiid011 IJ for~piil or many iiidt ia
no 1ubs11111l1I dilrcn:ace &om ltacturina Oii site: or by rcmott; it II die: umc as1 opmd011. She
mcntioacd tlllt lhc COOCC bu always beat rcplatlag llll s; however, UDdcr lhc 11CW rcpbcions dlcy arc
n:qWn:d ca file for a Fmn 2A. This 111 llll'(acc loc..ilon permit Ind Is in lddilloa IO lbc APO, which Is
n:dy for die dowa bole purpose. Tbc suriicc location permit requires 111 to provide w:asivc information.
naUfy lllldawam, aad coasult with Ifie Dcptnmcnt of Wiidiife and Nlllc Haith ind EnvilonmcDL The:
couaty llwa)'I n:cclm a Cl!p1 oflhls ram 2A. Thcy can rcqut1t ccallll11tioll 11 ID)' time. We lmvc tlm!
obltpclaa to eonsuh with the cauney iftbcy RqllCll 11: we arc alwlys open to the couary.
SIC\IC Hllril -<law: a power palnl pn:saat1011011 mnate hciq.
Annllllcd111bown, lhc mnatc h:in1 II aa different hat \ml PPtk pula n!!'*s .t llP!!lw &
loa~h hewn "'M lhnN&b this proccsa, k la a wla wi11 lihllliaft for cvcryoac. Leu lmplCI
Iii . !cu rricc dbcwblncc. lca time on rOClllans, fcwc:r Wiier lnlCb, Im clamp Co rolds, ll!d
lest dllft. MlllY a(dle llndowam Wint lhi1 pnlCCll; Ibey Rke this procas 11111 fCllllCSI IL This is 1lrcldy
.-c:n:d by your rq1111tlODJ because k II 1 me by rlafic llld lplll'OYCd by die COOCC.
Commiuloacr Smmon ukcd wlult ufepudl Ibey have IO Iliac wauld not be 1 prablmi.
StcYc uid when tbcy do COllltNc1!an. they sran witb the ruidom 1-ny 11111 the blgp tblag Is the prwurc
CCSL Tbcy prnnrc ICll I 0.000.PSI makct aurc llnc II 1CNC lllCI bcfan: C\ICfY he job they pn:uutc IOlt
1pia. They hive praswc-maaleoring cqWpmmic, Oii bolh aldct, 11 the well pad 11111 thc remote pad. IC
thc7 do bave a lak. they wlU shuc clown lmmc:dillely aad dtcy ha\lc people INtlo walk lhe llac:.
Deb· ODcc thc well Is drilled llld lhcy 1111ke 1dcdalon10 ebudoa or complete Ille drilliag lan'1 lllll what
ad\llaccs the liorc bole.
Ann Mid Ille drillifts docs ldYIDCC 1bc: bon:holc:, 1nll whco you an: hclmi111 Imo Ille inc tha1 la alto
ld\landnl lhe borcbolc.
Sll:\IC uldancc Ille: wdl la drilled they hive so loa h aadtce lrlhezancaarctbcn: wonllcoqilclilla. lflllc
-m: lhcrc. dicn dllrio1 the coaiplctian ~ tilC)' do Ille pcrfontla1 l1110 Ille IOllCI or inlaat llld
c:ollllCCI Ilic Z01ICI of lateral. T1lcn. dlCy hive: I fi'lcairc llbmalltcd. Th: nuld dlcy pump ldlllJly ercatcJ
lhc ~ KIUll!y crca1a the crack 111111llcn thq puqt alDd wlda lhc he: nukl 1ad die sand 111ys with
die~ aad kccpt It opal. Without ii tll)'iDJ apctl. it would llGI be I COllllllCl'Clll ps wc!L
Deb llltcd dial Anll ucd 1 couple of difTcrcm lenm, -was well bore Md bare hotc:. ls ISrc 1 dllT'acn"-
SIC\IC ltllDd lhc borcbolc la whir wu bored wllh Ille drilling bit.
Jatm S.\llF. n:tbal lllOmCy was praca& rcpracntiag the S.Y&F family inrcn:sr lllld Mid we i.vc remote
fndaa. Willllins bu ClllC aad they an: n:ry blppy wilh lbc PfOCCK· II docs mab 1 llllrker dlll'emicc In
the reductloa ar111i: ovcntl lmplcrorwcn driOlng. It II one of&botc tlalnp the: iadllllr)' It doln11a IDlkc
diclr apcndam leu inlplcdvc oa lhc conmWlll)' tad lmlowDm. 1bcy da 110t lhink die COUlll)' bu 1 real
11111 to pll)' In lbc pcnnluiag or lhil open.lion. COGCC docs cover It la pan wilb the pad IOClllo• W!!lc It
111 ~cm. He docs aot lhlnk c:auary pmnlul11J I• !l«CSUrl' ID this inllwc. -
$iiiiil ~ 4IOiL kc hat had c.tperfcncc wltlt the lmput or ps prvcluctioa l'or lhc Jut JCYcnl yan.
A rcw yan IJO, wbcn be WU lhc dllir on the EnctaY Advisory Bolld (EAB) Ibey lmd I lol 1110re lllllCI
wl.\IJ, ~Il ia QllTClllJ)'. In the dmc lpc:lll on die colllllllulaa, lhcy blvc 1CC11 haw lmplCIS or
opmtiC1111 vc reduced tlaalncant. Just a few .)'Clfl .,o, lbcy wen: hiving bc:uinp bcrc ID
Oknwood Sprinp abaut acre 1p1eiaa. well plds on 40 acra; tblt lw Ill 1oac away. Ir ls all an
cvolutloalrypnxaaaaclpanofdiatpnKCU bu bcca the dc¥Clopmcntorthmc: he pads tliaullow for
lcu lltlpKI on Ille Nrf'ICI:. 0o hit fll-, Williaml used I fnc plll OG OllC of Ille drill pldt aad dplllcllll.ly
rcdaccd Ille impKt oa Ille Potter'• pllcc. This M\lcd chem lllOlbcr l or 4 ICl'i:IF hnpla. l1dl 11 ao luuc
bdwccn lhc ,,.._ llld lhc opemor '° wodc IOmdhloa 1111t chat wollld 11oncn1 C8elt. In one cac. cec or
bla nrigbbon dlowal the bl1111Sloa a( I lilC pad aJoaa with I dnll pad. He docl DOC thlak the Com)' needs
23
IO be lnYOlved la ibis INI docs llClt ICC It Q a Iona-tam luuc. h ii bcncllclal l'or UUCk cnrric and he lbinks
It Is a positlYC lbill ..
O'Srian worb for Willi11111 Uld she JllSICd out plcuc or I drillla& localion IO ownc11 lo lbc audlcacc.
This drilllq 1icc Is undcrJobla drilllna opcndou and thcn: Is no file movcmcat on lllit loClthm. Hid lhcy
placed 6xina equlf mcnl Oii then: It woiild i.vc hrri:rf'cml with his crops ror lhllt ,car. Tbcy wauld llllvc
hid dust illla 6vm the lnlCks Finl In and out. Whal Ibey Walt IO lllldo-=r and ulccd for didJ
plannJna api!OC11 INI lbclr coaccms wilh Ille dcftlopmac DO &bclr prupcny; chcy a1bd arc )'llu Fina to
6'lc Clft OUI prclpCfly, wflCR else Clll you do ii, •t D ii lb&t pad.
C-wiOllCr Houpe utcd bow do you nlld lhe ideal loc:ulon lilr Ille 6'lc site llld ha lbaa 1lcal
prolllmwtlc: ror people wbo live clatc by.
SICYC ail lhlt obviously, wc look 11 lhc lmpKU llld from a ll:dmlcal ltllldpolllt; 1licy 1ry IO he !him low
cod IO blab ID it will now downblll. Some ptds have timl111 Hmlll, eulllllmmyZOllCI; 11 is prmy mucba
lqlliYC pniccu wllh llndoWllCll lllld pvcs them Dp!IDils. He csplalncd all lhc opilona.
Connlulcrncr Hol!P( rully 1ppr=iltrs this IUld It wolldaful ror people wha do not have hcin1 oa chclr
pnipcny. Sbc wlllldcrs haw II ii wodd111 for lbcm llDdiD110Cllioas far hcbla.
SM:VC uld to fit w:rt easy, Somcdmc tbcy do oot usi: tlalcs; they 111C a he pit llld lftbcy do lhllt,. lbcy
roDow chc coocc nalcs ror lhc Form 15 aod 1ry 10 1111y V. nliJc: away. n.t is oac 1f chc Illa dclmninlns
flCIDn Ir we use 1 pit or use tanb. Ir withla a Y. mile or. raldcncc Iller: is to1111111 lie lddldoaal
rcplations on the fonn IS 11dc llld lhll rcqolra them ID 111C llnb. Oii the pit aide QcY bl MY Kl 1
=of Ille Ould; k lsulnalc PfOCCS1 lllltcadofcvcry oac ofchc40 or50 llakl lhatbavc IObc tralcd
y, "Oiilj' hu IO lrell onc: pit; k kccpl 1bc IZDCllll doWll. Tbcy will plll Iha file localioa U far
away from people u Ibey can. AD1J dme Ille)' do mnou: hciaa. k -lly dlows diem IO act lilitbcr awsy.
O.Yid Lovdaad 1 member of West ChapccrorColcnda Oil llld Ou aid hit ~dao Is alto• madlcr
oflllC Cimld Junctiao Alea Ounbcr, which bl uct ofpollCJ NIClllClllL They lllvc uullclllllllil11ec liill
Is lhc Energy Collllllia= llld dciamiacd this fits witllin their area of'lat=1:st. He read the lccla pceviolllly
Kiii into the ra:onl and pve a Clip)' IO lhc Clerk and Ra:onlcr, lcaa AJbcrieo. His Dflllllzldon llUppol'll
Ille best ua: pncdccs la sccbnolol)' aDd Ylc:w hcln1 u a hallmark or• tcclmoloSY.
Sher Lang hid a ques1lo11 ror Steve. The concern It that ir tbcy luivc thlt new added layer of pcrmlubl .. II
C111 be quite bunlcasomc because ofllmc Ille~!)' m bt'N Tbcrcforc, would the pamlala1 praccu
pm.ps make It DCCClllJ)' ror 111 llOl 10 Uiii n:motc !iiclag la ccnaln lllSllaccs?
Stnc .. 1c1 l(lbcydid notlsavc l'CID04c &acm1 Ibey wollld have to malcc tbc fl'Cb bluer in onkrto
acc-.adatc the cquipDIClll oo sile. Wiien they 10 tmup die pcnnletin1 procc11 for 11CJOdMl111 wjlh
laadowna1111d qcacfu IO Iii 1hls Jl111w pimle ill to make lhlt work, If tbcy e&llllOI be ccruin dlcy can
Fl I permit I'« remote fixing. then be would be ISldll& for I bllFf well ptd IO be could llllkc llUIC he hu
room for 111 lbc hciaa. JrllC bat I IClllOCC he, when they do lbc pllanill1 cycle he will rcQlllllllClld they
do aot DCCd dlll mucb tuU. Yes, It would idl'cct the pcrinluill1 piocea.
Keith Hale-Enpaccr for Chcvmn. chcy hive bcca clolq maoic hdns la Cdifomla 1lncc lbc Ille 1910'1.
It ii a desired way 10 pcnonn the wort llld lllclr nlllllbct 011c pal 11 •fcty, Haviat to place 1hc lilies by
hlmnlcriaa la pmbebly lbc 111011111111l'c tblna they ha~ doftc. Wddla1oflilaIstheway1010 IS ii
Iowas the Impact aod Ibey alll do 11111 111 Cali(omia. l1IC)' brvuallt WI llcrc to Oarilcld Couniy 111 llltc
2001. Tbcy do ncfJlblaa oa 0.:vrao fee owned land 1nll Ibey 11111 bellcw It Is die WIY IO 10.
I.any Kl:lll orHaJliburtllo llld Ibey 111kcd a lot allout lhc upcell or urciy and lie would like to uy lhcy
pcdonn about 100,000 hom of wvrk In 1 monlh oa Williun's localionl lad lhc band llld lblp:r ir\lwics
arc lbc mast COllUJIOll Ibey hive. The mnocc ~ 1llow them to reduce thmc lmpt1C11 on their cmplo)'CCI.
Tblt Is cvldcnccd and 1llcy maitul11 tbcr rcconlablc lacldcllt ratc. lo 2007, ii wu la die J 10 l ~ lnjurici
for 200,000 boun ~ In 2009. wbco lllcy wcrc completely oa lbc ranotc locallonl, tbclr rccordlblc
ll\IUIY r11e wu laa tlm J for 200,000 llOllll worked. A lot arlhli It allrilMcd 10 tlic number one injury
they capcricncc; Ille bud and liqcr injury. Tbc most daaaaoiu ~I thcJ do ii ID drive. 1bcy hid ICYCl1J
rollowcr acddal11 lo 2007 ud 1001. By rcdudna lllC number or mllet ud lhc 11umbcr or dmcs nftlcd
OYcr-'C Rllds. dlcy wen: alile IO ~c the poqBllJily orbcavy vehicle accidcnb. The qUCllioa lada)'
Is wbcilicr IO pcnait hclo1. F111111 a ICn'ice co.,iy aot hm 111 opmaar, aayiiin: tbcrc arc .tdltlooaJ
rcplatiom put on Ille open.con lbl1 pay lbcm &o come out aad do -tc. It eventually 1fl'ccu lbc ICl'Yicc
comp111y llld tbc cmplo,ccs. Al IV u n:plldna, llley apprccleic the cll'oftl or Oilfield Comuy llld Mca
Coaniy onlhc COOCC, w•o lspuahls fOfWMI IO rqulalc llicif lnduiry. lfltlsdupllckout.llc'llDllldak
Ilic Baud IO n:consldcr puala1 a pcmlt fee.
Ed ffoqlllld IWtd dial n:ccntly WllleDIJ complclcd. pad lad Ibey bl IO ICCCU his prvpeny; cbc rcOIOIC
fileia1 ln:llll:ndouly slowed dawn nffic.
Cbcr}I Chandler-Wha It '°"'810~plale11111 . They arc llhoR OD cmployca u It 11 la Oarflcld Couasy
llld no oac Is nlacd for Ibis .
Kldly Wllltcd IO make a few COllllllClllL ~
lllldlbcrcis I . WC
· well pa4 lizc wu .at lllfficicllt to allow Ille hcla1 opcnlioCll to °"111' oa lite. Tbcy lllcd aa
adjacau wdl pld INI they considered tlllt a -vcd lieiliiy. Tbc -V•=rt well pad wu uc:d 10 bovlc die
cqulpmcatalld lhc Oulds wcrc pumped over IO Ille OVA-12 wcll s*. A CCDlnliud filclllty Is I VIit
difl'crcncc: It II when DllC 1ilc ii get co he a !15:D ptf ......... 11 i11101jusl an adjaccat pad.
Klthy WIS aol llft what iliii di&tucc IS Qi 11 ~ )' FC&L Tbc ianporuy upccl oftbc potential lmpaca
llica pt Cllklldcd bccalllc a new wcU pad comes In ind they hive lhls already dlsu.bcd arca lbcy cao asc
for hcln1-Cauillly, aalf' 11 001 aylq tbcrc arc oot imau:NC bcllcfltl 11111 come with tbal 11 .. then: arc
allD laod implcU to resolve . Our laod use codc Illes about die BOCC rnlc:wirl1 lbolc llllpKIL Tbc new
icchaololicl Illa! CD1S1C 1llo1& arc alwa11allcnclltbut1lic:rc arc tome tlilap that aced IO be C0111idcrcd wick
lhcm. Our code docs aot dclillc remote lilldlt1: II does not llcfmc It ocher tbla uy1D1 advlacm1 Ille
llcftholc fllf oil aod ps prucluciioo actMty. Clculy wbcD hciaa ocan DO Ille lim wbcrc llu: driWa1 aod
ptodclioo have occuncd. wc have 11111 in cbc pui llllT wlll we In the liltura look u rqulaliaa. However,
'Nhco then: Is a c:cocnlbi:d Ike that Is Solnl IO be lllCd lbcrc arc piapcny impacu aDd o1bcr land lllC luuct
lbat arc nal part oflbc coocc "111 dlOle ~ dx rl:lpoftlibilil)' orlhc Board. BCQll$C dlCIC islUCI CUii: !ip
with Banlancot Mcsa. lbl1 ls acw 111 ttall' to UDdcmaod tbolC polCllllal llllplCll and whit tllc COOCC
24
n:vlcws. Thai i1 lbe n:uoo lheybroush1 !he lnuc ro the 8011111. II is ec:rtainlysccn ftom Williarn'1
pn:scn11tion !hat !hen: an: many bcncriu b111 ii ii 001 a n:duction in 1nfric per sc bci:susc the wller still has
to sci io the slic. Whc1hcr il i1 lhc: individual well pads or 1 rcmoic fnclna faciliiy, the well 11111 requires
over 500,000 pllom per well for the fnelna. Thcrc:(OR, the Ouid bas to act to !he site somehow. Unless ii
ii done llsrnugh piplnJ. INdc uaffie will n:sull It would be diminished dllC IO the he links or clbcr
nx:lhods and 1 poad cm Ille: •he will not requln: movin1 lhosc fiac llnb ftorn well pad IO wdl pad.
Rcdudion ornrric c:culd occur bul the tlmill1 issue docs cx1cnd the dillwblncc on one area. !(there: an:
adj1m11 prgpcrtics on the area,~ will result for• MiemW E!I cg.....,, II IV he
cinuiclcttd tc~ In netun:. man: wllc:ibc:r lllcn: would be potc:ntiel impacu based upon the
zone iisincu TrlC• thl$ occun. Wllll they have heanl about hen: an: fairly n:mole loallioru lhat have
these ccntn1lizcd (1ciliric:s. Some other disc:111sio11 points she has brouJht up an: lhc zcnc dlslrict
Jimilltiaru and lhc land 111e lmpacu vmus the COOCC n:gul110I)' upcct. which may n:siill in some:
duplicilDIB n:vicw . She docs not think lhlt the COGCC i1 llCCCUlrily looking 11 the lend ~issues !Mt lhc
couniy lypically (OCl&Set on In 0111 code. The fact lhlt I c~lizcd rmc: racllity docl noi ncccswily luivc
to occur on 111 old COGCC approved well ptd; ii could occur on priVlllC land lhat was not previously
dillurbeil Is lhat n:vir:wcd difrmnlly cban ific is on 1 COOCC IJIPto•cd well pad?
Ann said one comment Kathy m1de wu Ifie was not on a COOCC improved pad. They had uhuadon like
lflll before the new n:aulatlons came: Into crl'cct lllld Ibey c:amc Ind lllud tn the councy bcaulc thcy did
1111111 to put 1 remote fl'IC loc:ation lhal was not on 1 previously dis111tbcd drill 1ltc pad. She did n:co1111izc
liult Ulldcr the C01D1ty'1 own rcplatlom that it would be evaluated differently. She would now consider
under the Form lA any ton or 1111&= dimubancc ua 11 epprovcd under the C0\.111!y thll they would have
ID permit throuah the COGCC lhlt 1cpan.1e location and it would be 111 approved 1i1C. Beran: the new
rcaull110R1 Cl-inlO lhc COOCC !eve~ Ihm: Wll 8 dilTc:micc . One other IRll bCllCfit, we have fi:wer
service people selling losl wllh )'0111' ro1dJ. Then: is 1 alpfie11111 n:duc1illn in the 1n1eu Ir you brina the
water 10 a c:uitnliml location and you an: usiaa It 10 riac: a:nain well•, end tbcn ming ii 10 lnlc ocher wells
so ;rou an: usins lhlt wascr repeatedly, There i1 111 amazina dccn:ase in 1nffic by doina remote lilcins u
you no loa1er hive 101n1ck llJM water to the locations. 1n1ek it 1way and lhcn come back. Kalhy
mentioned she wu ncl sure how (1r t.hcy coWcl 10 but it Is lcu then J miles. They do try to ccall'llizc and
u Steve mentioned it n:duccs the lime on 1"i:ll1iu: locl&ioa because ortbc driUin1 then cumins back aod
hnllla more oh aurfa= disturllancc n:quirins you 111 be DUI then: longer. Typically, on rcmolC file:
IOCldons, ii is not like then: an: onJ0in11 opcnitiOG1 every dey. We 10 Diii, IUJC our he, ii is 1l!Qdy
dilnubcd u ii is 1ln:ady a drill site locallon and •hen they have tn fnc the not ll'l:IJ liic they 110 bult Jn . It
Is nae 1 d.y·co.dey opcnulon .
Commissioner Houpt s111cd historieally lhi1 ca1D1ty hu pcnnlncd cmtnlizcd facUldCJ ind this is 1 new
di1c11ulon for tbc Bori We hlYe pcrmillcd Olbcr typa of f11Cilitlcs bttausc of the Jons term. Talking
aboul centralized r11cin1. do you go lhnl the CDP proci:ss with the COOCC to you will hnc o
compn:llcnsi~c dcvcloprncnl plan? You an: rally talkln1 about more lhan one APO and it seems like ii
would Iii really wcU with that . If you have 1elcc1cd 1 fnclns loalion, you n:cd IO put 1 pllln togabcr.
Ana said she does not believe they have done aa APO with the COOCC, but under their initial 81.M
£ruin1 locatlo11 lhat was what 1hcy called clUSICr development
Commiuiom:r Houpl 11id ii 1ppcars 10 her Iha! lhis mi11h1 be an 1ppro1ch lhal could enpge !he counry II 1
bel orc:cmrorc. We can 1c1111lly have 15CllSCorwhcn: th11lancl1&SC is gning IO be.
Steve 1111cd rhal ncme o(thc remote me 1ita they hive has been ultdcr Ille new rules; b111 the plan l1 wc
would uy here iJ lbc loc:ation for the fracs, hen: is the well pad and when: !he: lines will ill· Thai proccu
llU already been llCIDliatcd wilh the landowner. We will have multiple pads in 111 an:a and that ii cucdy
whit the plen docs. We do ncgod111e with BLM lha1 this is uur year round drilling period saylna we will
move and 10 inln this canyon and lei this one iii for lhc winter. Then ¥111!!£ fetibc 1£11UO!r!1!!1111
then: 11 a wildli(c manaacmr:nt pl111 llnd we say hen: 1111: che loCltlOiiilnd Ilse an:u we will drill in and hen:
is when: tbc fbc JOQllon wUI be ror all orthcF.fio in lltc:h
Ann Siited 1hf aos llOC litficvc iEj &ive go~iijli comprd!cnsive drillina plan proccu yet.
Commislicmcr HDllJI' thinb ic might be a bcact oppominity for the COllllC)' 10 be cnpacd 11 lhc pla1111in1
level lhl1111ff Is moll conccmcd abo111 and we would be more c:onsi.11.cnc wilh what lhc:y have doac in tbc
past, which arc pcrmlt-ccntralizal racUitio. We do look 11 lhc Iona lam impacts and want 111 make sun:
lhat the land use provisioa of our codC' an: c:uruidcrcd. What do u cunsldcr the lire ora I ccninlizcd
~~tiq:a~cankccpcomin1 bal:k~7 wti.i _ n ·
oald ll W a jU pncc. i1iCY went in wl 1 d ins p sayma they wo11kl develop over 1
=·year period and they bid 20 rip planned. Suddenly, lhc pa price draJIPCd and lhc:y n:lcased all the
p. Now they have 11! this di.lturbancc out then:; they have all these pads built and all lb: production
ulpment 1ittln1 waitina on the gu pria: co 90 up so Ibey can drlll apin. This is pan oflhlt flc:aibility
cy would like' IO have in the 2A procw. We Clll ICll you what we would like to do, IUbjccc tops prices
buc a1 lcw you would hive • plan or what we would like to do.
Chaltman Manin sald they did sec lhLI pn:scntation lll1d Ibey looked 11111 the possibilities ofit ind went
lbroup the 11mc puund ~ a10. He 111d they round it iJ mare advan111cous ind lllil board cncoun11cd
lhat it is not 1 new proccu. He mncmbcn this wu a bc:ncn1 to the lal'Mlowncn ud that is why lhcy
aupponcd and cnccxnicd it. This is an old 1rgumcnt; It acccb ro 111y unda the oil and p1 pcnninina
procui. We da nae have the cllpCfti&c and we do not hive Ille 111cr. The oll and II' folb have their
pcrminins procaut the swc. they inspect it. self Inspect ii and scJrn:pon It All=' of all of the ycm in
Oltflcld COllnty he has no11een one dllcharec or uac railure . We blvc not hid any violations tlui1 he is
aware ofin n:rcn:ncc co n:moec fncin;. ~re have noe been any n:pon:d violatlo111 . He thinkl k ls a sood
prvcm and ii rnalta 1110 ful.
Commissioner Houpt thinks that Chaimwl M.utin mbundcnrood ha Slltcmcnt. What 1hc meant. she is
quiic aware ii is not 1 new process. tbc notion of discunlna how we llC aolns to approach h with Ollr code
la 1 new convcrullon ror us . She docs not lhink thcn: Is any question thll lhis could be 1 huge benefit She
dOCJ not lhlnk liul1111cris ulcina 111 to regulate lhc ICchnlcal cad ofthil. They uc 11lti1111bout land use
conccrm, land use lmp1a., an}'lhlna the Boud would look al in 1 rcgulu land 111c applicallon only because
it iJ cmtnlizcd and tbcn: ls a lon&cr pcricxl llfifT1laCI I/Id d!Slurblllce. She thinks tbcn: an: WlyS or
25
approKbllia Ibis wi1I& die -au lad ... nllel 11111 opporllllllta Ill !Irina lbc COlllll)' lala die clllaiaalaa.
She tlUb 1J1a1: accds IG a williopcM ill lbls-ky IOO to m:opizc llilt die: COUllCy nllll IG wdth
Inoa lhe I.ad 111C coaccnu u well. Sic cauhil7 waald emcrt1la Ille DGdaa dlll world111 wfthla Ille
COGCC ivlca a loaa u cJicy bow llley will ha\'C pcalCr apponualtlci 1111111• die pui ID welsh ill an lhc
c:oaccms u lbcy rellle co CClllllliz: hcfq. Sbc would like 10 hc:ar morc &om .. ff aa that if tbcrc b •
CG11CCn1 mbou& IML Sbc dim tbcrc ii a IOGI in pla&:c now time remll1 cb:s brins tbc comry to tllC c.blc.
Caramlsalaacr s-&pCI widl Chairmall Martlii; hi! cldab then: an: traamdous plUIC:l 'lrilli lhc
n:mute rr.dq. Trudi ll'llllc ni by 90%, faolprint 30%, rafuccs 1111ilc, dmt. ocb, lmpKU ID wlldti(c and
lhc BLM Qd DOW -* iL Tbcy bm lllCd It 11,DOO times ahic:c 20Clll .ad DOt a alnsJc line problem. II
ICCllll )'1111 haVI: aafcplll'dl In CUC Ibey an: DCCdcd. He lblnb Ibey need 10 auppon 1hc rllldlnp ad WC do
DOt need IO rqulllc maola hcina. Lea\'C It to 1ltc COOCC. He Wiided 10lddmsTr=l'tconecms:1k
CDlllll)' rcceiYCI • CGPJ orF-2A aad WC CID CGllSllk wilh diem. He lllinks tblt •• urcpard l'at !be
allllll)'. We do not want IO bin: people 111 ID &l'lllllld and take care ohll the problems; he lhlob Iha! 1hauld
be left up IO the COOCC.
Cammiuiancr Houpt aid the CDP ill a COOCC 1\la and dlcl DOI bow lrhl= lllldmlGad thaL Sbc dlinb
wbc:ll )'1111haR1 lon1-tmn canliud f1Cl1ll)' dlac wlll be JaV!cc ror..,y wclll that 1CCR11 IO Ka rally
aoadway.
ADJOURNMENT
ATIEST: CHAIRMAN OF THE BOAJlD
Fl:BRUARV I, 2010
PROCEEDINGS OF THE GARFIELD COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
GARFIELD COUNTY, COLORADO
The rcgulu mcctin1 of lhc Board of CoUlllJ Commiuioncn bcpn al B:OO A.M. oa Mondey, Fcb1111111 I,
2010 with Oaimwn John Manin and Comm41ianC1S Tn:al Houpt lllld Mike Samson prescnt. Also present
wen: County Mamgcr Ed Orem. County Allomcy Don Deford. Caralyn Dahlsmi. Deb Quinn and Jean
Alberico Clerk & Recorder.
CALL TO ORDER
Chllrman Manin called the mcc1in1 to onlct at 8:00 A.M .
COUNTY l'tlANAGER UPDATE-ED GREEN
• A. PDlcntl•I Locallon or the Admlnl1trmtlon Bullclln, la Glenwood Sprinp-John
M•rtln
Chlirman Manin staled In light or everything 1ha1 is goina on with the cCOftomy and the uncCl'uintic1 he
docs have 1 dain: to move fCH"Ward with • nc"' buildina. he think.I ii should be for judicial ; bu11pin, there
an: lhc olhm 10 consider 1udl u lldminl11r11ion llld the ckctcd officials. We m: 111lon11bout a IOC1tion
within GlcnwPOd Sprinp end M doca not think Ibey have cvcrysltin1 to1cchcr yet lo pu& a time line on this ,
He bclicvc.s wc aced IO do mon: work. He IS ho.Pini they can work with the City of Glenwood SprinJS but
IW: the prcssun: ofrbolh the: City and lbc CGW11y. We ncd IO WOfk out the dclalls and the pouibilitic1 aad
sccun: the: loatloas 10 we have con1111I of when: we want ID put this buildins and when.
Commissioner Houpt and Chairman Manin disasrccd about the buildln1. lhc timchmc, the 1ypc of
llnldun:, who it was to be bullc to accommodace 111111 whm: It would be localed. Tbcrc wuc no matcri1IJ
placed Ill fnml oflhc Board today IO 1 dcc:iiion wou1cl have 10 be poslpOncd.
Cbainnan Mlnill wa111110 work more closely with tbc City of Glenwood Sprinp, 11a1T and have a bcncr
cou analysl1 .
Commissioner Houpt ~led 1he fcll lhl11111fhu done:• cost analysis, put matcrilils toacthcr and ffqlmcl
• pn:scnlation IG the Cicy a few wccb ago.
Chairman Mania w1111S 10 complete the Shcri1T1 AMci and the Human Services addillon prior to movina
fmward with this new structure in Olcnwood Springs . Thi.I new IK!lldina in Olcnwood Sprinp will !Uc•
little more time lo wort out the details ID make 1urc they do lhc riaht buildin1. Another option oa the table
is the Hcllt)' buildina. We need IO do 10mctbin9 lh=; we have issues lhat wc have ialkcd about for )'Cll1.
The olhcr oac is in 811dcmcn1 Mesa. We peed ID look 11 our Compn:bcnsivc Plan on wbm: we arc 1oina
with our capital new and co evaluate each one or these locations.
Ed said lhcy did provide a patki:I of maicrial 11 lhc joint mcctin1 with the City, It included the 11:bcmatic
of each option, and lhc cust or each option ao we do blow whit ii would look like and how much it would
cos1. The best 1l1cmative fiom lhc co111nd 1i&hlin1 111ndpoin1 iJ lhc IOl:mlion dircdly behind cdstins
eounhousc. As you uw in the llll&lylis, the cost (or an 1dminiW1tlvc facility ll approAimately SI:? 8
million and the i:ost for• court (Kility is around 514 -S 14J million.
Chllmwl Manin simced that WQ ju.I for the build Ina. The other Issues lhat c:.amc up in that mcclln9 lha1
n:ally put a damper on it for him wa1 lhc upcaations, the needs fof puking lmpTOvcmcnu, mon: tcCure
propcny, parklns needs cllpaadcd and fell we attd to work with the Ci1y ofGlcnwPOd Sprinss. That n:ally
docs 10 into 10111 ranse pllnnia1 because you arc lllkins about the building and the other lcems tha'I need co
be Included. Thit is a cost arsl5 IG 530 million dollars 1ha1 really needs to be looked 111lld to do 1 decent
job of scopina. He is most concmicd that we make SIR we satisfy the impact •ad the needs in lbc lfQ
rishl naw. He would love IO build a bull dina riaht away Ind put cvayonc in IL It woWd be shoNllhccd
bceal&SC they an: maldn1 lmpacu lha1 we ctn00t mllipte. We ncd to be able IO work with the C-11)' to
mitipcc lhosc imp•c:ts ar parklo1 more th.In we ate ri1ht now. It will llke a Ii Ide mon: time:. II may lllcc
aomc more property 11<qul1ltion.
Commissioner Houpt Plied 1hc is llOt aun: they need to •cquin: propctty 11 lhb ttmc but we need to sit
downu a Commiuio11 with11l of the material in front 0(111 and have lhiJ discussian. A llpCl:itl worlt
aesslon wu 1u11es1cd. The thtcc of111 need co ao duo11ah lltcsc mattriab togcthci' with the trcuu~r.
wcssor Ind the elm in on lhc discussion.
26
.._..,u _./MM.--l&N""i~
years, to Cooper Place, which is a
block off Main Street just west of
downtown. They began checking
apartmenbi at around 2 p.m., but
everyone they found was OK.
The crash just south of city
limits had occurred at 7 :15 a.m.
RANDY ESSEX I POst INDEPfNDENT
The driver of this Toyota 4Runner was taken to the hospital and was expected to survive, authorities
at the scene said.
and crushed the front of the
man's lbyota 4Runner. The
driver of the emP.ty cattle truck.
who was unhurt, was about to
make a left tum when he was
·rear·ended by the 4Runner.
Rescue workers took the
driver of the SUV to Valley
View Hospital in Glenwood
Springs, and after treatment
CRASH,A3
~\.? L!·~'._::2 ~ J
Will GRANDBOIS / POST INDEPENDENT
The afme scene: An apartment com·
plex about a block from the Intersec-
tion of Main Street and Highway 133 In
Carbondale Is surrounded by police tape
Tuesday morning.
Is county review needed for frack water pits?
John St1'oud
jstroud@postlnccom
. Would be treated same as remote storage tanks larger water treatment or reserve pits asso--
ciated with natural gas production sites.
Open·air pits used to store .y.ialer for by·
draulic'fracturing would be illowed with·
out special permitting the same as enclosed
tanks, under a proposed amendment to
Garfield County's land-use regulations.
clarify its definition of facilities allowed as a
"use by right" at centralized locations used
for fracking operations, and whether open
water pits are among them.
The request came after the company
was advised last fall by county planning
staff that such pits qualify as a water
impoundment structure, requiring a review
before receiving a permit.
WPX officials said, at a meeting with
county commissioners Tuesday that they
have constructed several such water storage
and recycling pits in recent years without
MI felt like this issue was resolved in
2010, and it's not what my understanding
of the code has been," said Phil Vaughn, a
former county planning commissioner and
construction contractor who works closely
WPX Energy requested that the county
WEATHER I Calendar A4
Obllllarles A6
Community A7
Food AB
~ All
WodlJ & Nation All
Opinion A14
49122 I Sports A15
PAGEA31 Classifieds A 18
Horoscope, Comics A30
Prtmt Stelks • Fresh seafoOd
308 7th Street
Glenwood Springs
PREP BASKETBALll
Plenty of. ups
Glenwood High School's girls basket-
ball doesn't feel It's having a 'down'
season as district tournament nears.
PAGEA15 ' 29 NEW classified ads In
today's edition. PAGE A18
a permit, and that they are not the same as . WATER PITS, A5
GUEST OPINION · FOOD ·
Teen pregnancy Oscar~worthy
State lawmakers w111 soon be consklerfng Jf you and your friends are
a program that is.working to reduce the watching the Oscars, consider
number of unintended pregnancies across making some delicious deviled
our state, an Issue that Garfield County has eggs or a golden dip made
struggled with particularly through our with tahlnl {sesame paste} and
high teen birth rate. PAGEA14 honey (shown). PAGE A8
YYt:U, weY'puc-me un·a weeK
of suspension and they said they
DUSOemeanor counts or resistmg up an<S was aided' by an-otf.<1Uty ematrto--rDe"A:spen'lliie8. 91'ili0
arrest and obstructing a police police officer and firefighter. wotild never.suggest that anyone rcarroll@cupmtimu.com
WAiERPIJS
FrompageA1
with operators including WPX to build var-
ious oil and gas facilities.
Vaughn was referringto a January 2010
meeting between county commissioners
and industry representatives to discuss the
merits of using centralized, remote surface
facilities to mix and pump !racking fluids
to mtiltiple well pads.
Commissioners agree4 at the time that,
by consolidating certain facilities, it worked
1o cut-down on impacts such as truck traffic
to and 'from·qtµltiple sites and·the overall
footprint of well pads.
wPx: PITS SAVE WATER
However. when it came to updating the
county's land-,use code in more recent years
to reflect that certain facilities are allowed
as a use by right,· temporary water.storage
tanks were allowed but open pits were not
specifically mentioned.
Vaughn said he has been advising his
clients thatthe pits are allowed without
special permitting, while the county says it
hu required permits for several such stol'-'._
age pits built by other operators.
Water.recycling pits are already subject to
approval and regulation by the Colorado Oil
and Gas Conservation Commission. WPX
Regulatory Specialist Ashlee Fechino said in
a Jan. 28 Jetter to the county coDUllissioners.
"Water recycling pits allow WPX to recycle
100 percent of produced water used in com-
pletions, e1imjnating the need to use fresh
water," Fechino said of the re-use of ground
water that results d~the drilling process.
"It' does not make sense to WPX Ener-
gy that if the produced water was placed
in~. it would be allowed •.• but if the
produced water is in a pit, it suddenly is
considered a water impoundment subject .
to expensive and time-consuming permit-
ting requirements; she Wrote.
Fred Jarman, the county's planning di-
rector, noted that·ifthe county amends its
code to allow both tanks and open pits ror
storage without a review, it wotild apply tci
all operators, not just WPX.
"I was not comfortable as your director mak-
ing such a wide-swt:eping~ on this, so we
oome to you as policy makers,• Jarman said.
POTENTIAL ODOR COMPLAINTS
One consideration is that open pits con-•
taining produced water could.be eonsidered
a more likely source for odor complaints by
nearby residents than water stored in tanks:
Odor a>mplaints accounted' for 31 percent
of all oil-and-gas-related complaints last yea.It
according to Kirby~ the county's oil and
gas liaison. Water impoundment facilities are
a common source of, those odors, he said.
•Odor issues are among the more serious
~
~ choc:olm UICI sweet stniwbenies
111nifitforen ~ F.cial and hand
•bUtl'Mnt.i:r..rentfllaSlt firmsancl·brighten1
,_.....,.~-i~W.! .......
complaints we receive; Wynn aa·~ "It is
something that gets to people, and 'we do
try to jump on it right away:'
County commissioners ultimately agreed
to formally consider a zoning text amend-
ment that wouJd specifically include water
storage among the faciliti~ allowed on·re-
mote fraclti,ng sites, whether kept in a tank
or an open pit.
Commissioner John Martin said it was
the intention when the issue was di&cussed
in 2010 that storage of water for remote
fracldng operations be a~ use.
The distinction is whether such facilities
are temporary or become more permanent,
lie said. If a storage pit is not reclaimed
after. three years. or is used for something
other than storage for !racking~ it
wotild need to be reviewed, ·be said.
The proposed amendment will be the
subject of a public bearing at a future com-
missioners meeting .
~