California to Prepare EIR for Fracking and Other Well Stimulation Treatments

Yesterday, the California Department of Conservation (DOC) and its Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources (DOGGR) released a Notice of Preparation of Environmental Impact Report (pdf). The EIR is required by Public Resources Code Section 3161(b)(3) and (4), which was recently enacted as part of SB 4, California’s comprehensive hydraulic fracturing (fracking) statute.

DOGGR will act as the lead CEQA agency and will prepare a draft and final EIR, which will evaluate the impacts of existing and potential future oil and gas well stimulation treatments, such as fracking, acid fracturing, and acid matrix stimulation. The objectives of the proposed project covered by the EIR are to:

• ensure DOGGR’s compliance with a requirement of SB 4;
• identify, evaluate and disclose the potential environmental impacts of well stimulation treatments of both conventional and non-conventional oil and gas resources within the State;
• further the Legislature’s efforts to ensure that well stimulation practices are conducted in a manner that assures environmental protection, public safety, data collection and reporting, interagency coordination, regulatory oversight and monitoring, and public disclosure; and,
• allow for the safe recovery and production of the State’s oil and gas resources.

Scoping meetings will be conducted throughout the state, as follows:

• December 10, 2013, 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Oakland Convention Center, 550 10th Street
• December 11, 2013, 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Sacramento, Tsakopoulos Library Galleria-Main Floor, 828 I Street
• December 12, 2013, 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Bakersfield, Kern County Library-Beale Memorial Auditorium, 701 Truxtun Avenue
• January 8, 2014, 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., Ventura College Performing Arts Center, 4700 Loma Vista Road
• January 9, 2014, 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., Long Beach Convention Center, 300 E. Ocean Boulevard

The Notice of Preparation invites comments on the proposed EIR. Comments will be accepted up to 5:00 p.m. on January 16, 2014, and may be provided by email to SB4EIR [at] conservation.ca.gov or by mail to Ms. Adele Lagomarsino, California Department of Conservation, Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources, 801 K Street, MS 18-00 Sacramento, CA 95814.

The Notice of Preparation follows yesterday’s release of proposed regulations to govern fracking in the state, as required by SB 4. (See our post here.)

For more information regarding California fracking issues, please contact Eric Adair. Follow Eric on Twitter: Follow @kericadair

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Tagged → California Environmental Quality Act, CEQA, Department of Conservation, Division of Oil and Gas, EIR, Environmental Impact Report, Fracking, Hydraulic fracturing, SB 4