(A) The applicant shall provide to the township at the time of application:
(1) A narrative describing an overview of the project including the number of acres to be involved, the number of wells to be drilled, location, number and description of equipment and structures to be involved.
(2) A narrative describing an overview of the project as it relates to compressor stations or natural gas processing facilities, if applicable.
(3) The address of the oil or gas well site, compressor station or natural gas processing facility as determined by the township or county for information of emergency responders. A 9-1-1 address or GPS coordinates should be assigned to the location.
(4) The contact information of the individual or individuals responsible for the operation and activities at the oil or gas well site shall be provided to the township and all appropriate emergency responders. Such information shall include a phone number where such individual or individuals can be contacted 24 hours per day, 365 days a year. Annually, or upon any change of relevant circumstances, the applicant shall update such information and provide it to the township and all appropriate emergency responders.
(5) A location map of the oil or gas well site showing the approximate location of derricks, drilling rigs, well heads, water impoundments equipment and structures and all permanent improvements to the site and any post construction surface disturbance in relation to natural and other surroundings. Included in this map shall be an area within the development site for the location and parking of vehicles and equipment used in the transportation of personnel and/or development and use of the site. Such location shall be configured to allow the normal flow of traffic on local streets shall be undisturbed.
(6) A location map of any proposed compressor stations or natural gas processing facilities including any equipment and structures and all permanent improvements to the site.
(7) A narrative and map describing the manner and routes for the transportation and delivery of equipment, machinery, water, chemicals and other materials used in the siting, exploration, drilling, construction, development, maintenance and operation of the oil or gas well site.
(8) A certification or evidence satisfactory to the township that, prior to the commencement of any activity at the oil or gas well site, the applicant shall have accepted and complied with any applicable bonding and permitting requirements and shall have entered into a roadway maintenance agreement with the township, in a form acceptable to the Township Solicitor, regarding the maintenance and repair of the township streets that are to be used by vehicles for site exploration, construction, drilling activities and site operations. A road bond if necessary and in an amount determined by the Township Engineer shall be posted by the applicant prior to commencement of any oil or gas development activities. Compliance with posted weight limits must be maintained.
(a) The operator shall show the proposed township routes of all vehicles to be utilized for hauling and the estimated weights of those vehicles. The operator shall show evidence of compliance with designated weight limits on township roads, unless a bond and a maintenance agreement has been entered into to assure road damage repair. The operator shall design the hauling routes for the oil and gas development operation to minimize the use of and impact upon township roads wherever feasible.
(b) The operator shall show evidence satisfactory to the Township Engineer that intersections along proposed hauling routes provide a sufficient turning radius for vehicles to be utilized for hauling, such that all turns can be safely made without damage to vehicles, sidewalks or curbs.
(c) The Township Engineer shall review the proposed routes provided by the operator, and reasonably determine whether preventive measures, such as shoring of bridges or putting protective mats over utility lines, should be taken to prevent damage to township roads, bridges or utilities. If such preventive measures are recommended, the operator shall install such protective measures as directed by the Township Engineer prior to beginning operations.
(9) A description of, and commitment to maintain, safeguards that shall be taken by the applicant to ensure that township streets utilized by the applicant shall remain free of dirt, mud and debris resulting from site development activities; and the applicant's assurance that such streets will be promptly swept or cleaned if dirt, mud and debris occur as a result of applicant's usage.
(10) Verification that a copy of the operation's preparedness, prevention and contingency plan (PPCP), as established by the appropriate state and /or federal regulatory agency, has been provided to the township and all emergency responders.
(11) Emergency responders are to be held harmless and indemnified by the applicant when acting in accordance with the PPCP or emergency response plan. The applicant is responsible to reimburse all costs associated with emergency responders.
(12) A statement that the applicant, upon changes occurring to the operation's preparedness, prevention and contingency plan, will provide to the township and all appropriate emergency responders the dated revised copy of the preparedness, prevention and contingency plan while drilling activities are taking place at the oil or gas well site.
(13) Assurance that, at least 30 days prior to drilling and annually thereafter if requested by the township, the applicant shall provide an appropriate site orientation and training course of the preparedness, prevention and contingency plan for all appropriate emergency responders. The cost and expense of the orientation and training shall be sole responsibility of the applicant. The applicant shall not be required to hold more than one site orientation and training course annually under this section.
(14) A copy of the documents submitted to the department, or other applicable regulatory agencies or if none, a narrative describing any environmental impacts of the proposed development on the site and surrounding land and measures proposed to protect or mitigate such impacts.
(15) A soil erosion and sedimentation control plan, in conformance with the requirements of the Beaver County Conservation District, must be submitted along with obtaining a grading and excavating permit from the township as well as the execution of a stormwater best management practices agreement between the applicant and the township in accordance with township ordinances.
(16) Recorded easements must be supplied for any gathering, transmission and distribution pipelines serving the site or proposed to serve the site.
(17) Proposed rehabilitation/reclamation plan for the site (excluding compressor stations and/or processing facilities) containing the following information:
(a) An engineering drawing showing ownership, existing and future topography, streams, existing roads, buildings, boundaries, and metes and bounds description of the tract.
(b) A drawing showing the location and/or proposed relocation of land, trees, buildings, structures, public roads, streams, drainage facilities and utility lines on the tract or adjacent tracts as may require protection, repairs, clearance, demolition, restoration, either during or following completion of the operations proposed.
(c) A plan for reuse of the land after completion of the operations which shall permit the carrying out of the purpose of this chapter and appropriately provide for any rehabilitation, restoration, reclamation, reforestation or other correction work deemed necessary and commercially reasonable.
(B) Within 30 business days after receipt of a permit application and the required fee, the township will determine whether the application is complete and adequate and advise the applicant accordingly.
(C) If the application is complete, the township shall schedule a conditional use hearing in accordance with the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code and shall, following hearing, render a decision on the application in accordance with this subchapter.
(D) If the application is incomplete and/or inadequate the township will promptly notify the applicant of the missing or inadequate material, in no event longer than 30 days from submittal of the application, and, upon receiving said material, shall schedule a conditional use hearing in accordance with the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code and shall, following hearing, render a decision on the application in accordance with this subchapter.
(E) All Commonwealth and federal requirements associated with oil and gas well development must be followed at all times and, upon request, permits associated with those requirements shall be supplied to the township. Conditional use approval shall be indefinitely conditioned upon the applicant maintaining valid Commonwealth and federal operating permits. Applicant shall immediately notify the township of the suspension, modification or revocation of any such permits.
(Ord. 3-2011, passed 2-6-2012)