(A) No operation conducted during the drilling and completion phases of any well shall create any noise which causes an exterior noise level greater than 75 dB measured at the location of a protected use.
(1) If a noise complaint is received by either the operator or the city from the occupant of any protected use, the operator shall, within 24 hours of notice of the complaint, continuously monitor for a minimum of a 24-hour period the exterior noise level generated by its drilling and completion operations at the location of the protected use that is the source of the complaint, and shall provide the city a report within 48-hours of monitoring completion, detailing noise levels in no less than one-hour intervals, obtained during the 24-hour monitoring period. The city may, after receipt of the monitoring findings, impose additional noise restrictions.
(2) Acoustical blanketed sound walls shall be used to ensure compliance. Mufflers, landscaping or other alternative methods may be combined with acoustical blanketed sound walls where necessary to ensure compliance. All soundproofing shall comply with accepted industry standards and applicable fire codes.
(3) The sound level meter used in conducting noise evaluations shall meet the American National Standard Institute’s Standard for sound meters or an instrument and the associated recording and analyzing equipment which will provide equivalent data.
(4) A citation may be immediately issued for failure to comply with the provisions of this division (A), and the operator shall immediately bring the noise level into compliance. However, if the operator is in compliance with the approved drilling/ completion mitigation plan, and a violation still occurs, the operator will be given 24 hours from notice of noncompliance to correct the violation from an identified source before a citation is issued. Additional extensions of the 24-hour grace period may be granted in the event that the source of the violation cannot be identified after reasonable diligence by the operator.
(B) An acoustical blanketed sound wall that is not less than 16 feet in height shall be installed during drilling and completion phases on each side of the drilling and completion site unless modified by the City Council or its designee.
(C) Exhaust from any internal combustion engine or compressor, stationary or mounted on wheels, used in connection with the drilling of any well or for use on any production equipment shall not be discharged into the open air unless equipped with a muffler or equivalent control device constructed of noncombustible materials sufficient to suppress noise and disruptive vibrations and prevent the escape of obnoxious gases, fumes or ignited carbon or soot.
(D) The operator shall minimize the escape of toxic, noxious or offensive odors, fumes, and emissions from the drilling and production site during drilling and completion operations. Gas emissions shall be shielded from the direction of any protected use located adjacent to the drilling and production site. Air quality at the separation boundary of an adjoining protected use shall meet applicable EPA or ODEQ standards during such operations. The Oil and Gas Inspector may require the installation of air quality monitoring devices at the separation boundary upon receipt of a complaint or whenever conditions warrant such action. The cost of monitoring may be assessed against the operator.
(E) The operator shall minimize the escape of dust from the drilling and production site during drilling and completion operations. Clean water shall be applied to the drilling and production site and all unpaved points of access to the site to prevent dust migration to adjoining properties, as necessary. The operator may utilize a chip seal or equivalent best management practice approved by the city in lieu of watering for dust mitigation.
(F) All electric lines to drilling and production facilities shall be located in a manner compatible to those already installed in the surrounding area.
(G) No operator shall excavate or construct any lines for the conveyance of fuel, water, or minerals on, under, or through the streets or alleys or other land of the city without an easement or right-of-way agreement from the city.
(H) The operator shall utilize secondary containment measures in accordance with OCC regulations. In the absence of such regulations, outside storage areas shall be equipped with a secondary containment system designed to fully contain a spill quantity equal to the aggregate rated capacity of all tanks and vessels located on the drilling and production site. Secondary containment shall be designed to include the volume of a 24-hour rainfall as determined by a 25-year storm and provision shall be made to drain accumulations of ground water and rainfall.
(I) The City Council may in a conditional use permit designate specific routes to and from the drilling and production site for trucks and other vehicles used in conjunction with drilling and completion operations to minimize excessive wear and tear or damage.
(Ord. 814, passed 6-11-2018; Ord. 834, passed 2-21-2019; Ord. 956, passed 12-11-2023) Penalty, see §
113.999