(a) In general.
(1) No person shall participate in site preparation or any other seismic survey activities without first obtaining a seismic survey permit issued by the city in accordance with this division.
(2) Seismic surveys may only be conducted with low-impact vibrator systems designed for urban operations. Explosive charges, including dynamite, may not be used in preparing for or conducting a seismic survey.
(3) Seismic surveying is limited to the hours of 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, excluding city holidays.
(4) Seismic survey activities must be conducted in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations, and with all ordinances, rules, and regulations of the city.
(5) Seismic survey activities within public rights-of-way must be conducted in in accordance with a traffic control plan approved by the director of the department of transportation.
(b) Seismic survey permit. A seismic survey permit application must be in writing, signed by the operator or applicant, and submitted to the gas inspector. The operator or applicant shall provide the following information on a form furnished by the city:
(1) the date the operator or applicant submitted the application;
(2) the operator or applicant’s name, address, telephone number, and email address;
(3) the location of the seismic survey;
(4) the date and time the seismic survey will be conducted;
(5) a detailed explanation of the seismic survey methods to be used;
(6) a detailed map of the area being surveyed and the location of all vibration and geophone points;
(7) the date and time the seismic survey will be completed; and
(8) for city property and public rights-of-ways:
(A) an executed access agreement for the use of the specific public rights-of-way or city property; and
(B) a current certificate of insurance for the coverage specified in the access agreement.
(c) Review of permit applications.
(1) The gas inspector shall return incomplete applications to the operator or applicant with a written explanation of the deficiencies.
(2) The gas inspector shall determine whether the seismic survey permit should be issued, issued with conditions, or denied within 45 days after receiving a complete seismic survey permit application. If the gas inspector fails to make this determination within this specified time, the seismic survey permit is deemed denied.
(3) The gas inspector shall issue a seismic survey permit if the application meets the requirements of this division. If the application does not meet the requirements of this division, the gas inspector shall either deny the application or issue the seismic survey permit subject to written conditions if compliance with the conditions eliminates the reasons for denial. If the gas inspector denies a seismic survey permit, the gas inspector shall provide the applicant with a written explanation of the reasons for denial within 30 days.
(d) Appeal.
(1) If the gas inspector denies a seismic survey permit, the gas inspector shall send the applicant, by certified mail, return receipt requested, written notice of the decision and the right to appeal.
(2) The applicant has the right to appeal to the permit and license appeal board in accordance with Article IX of Chapter 2 of the Dallas City Code.
(e) Notice. At least 72 hours before commencing geophysical operations (laying out of geophones), the operator or applicant shall provide written notice via United States mail, or other methods of delivery to each tenant, property owner, and resident within the area to be seismically surveyed. The written notice must include:
(1) general information about the seismic operations to be conducted;
(2) an overview of the seismographic survey process; and
(3) a hotline number to call with questions or complaints related to the seismic survey activities. The hotline number must be adequately staffed with trained personnel during normal working hours. (Ord. 29228)