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2002 SESSION

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HB 881 Location of drilling gas and oil wells.

Introduced by: Clarence E. Phillips | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles | history

SUMMARY AS PASSED:

Location of drilling gas and oil wells. Allows an interstate park commission, if it is the surface owner, to raise objections to gas and oil well permits. However, the location of the well or pipeline must unreasonably infringe on the park’s use of the surface, a reasonable alternative site must be available within the drilling unit, and granting the objection must not materially impair any right contained in an agreement between the park and the operator.

SUMMARY AS PASSED HOUSE:

Location of drilling gas and oil wells. Allows an interstate park commission, if they are the surface owner, to raise objections to gas and oil well permits. However, the location of the well or pipeline must unreasonably infringe on the park’s use of the surface, a reasonable alternative site must be available within the drilling unit, and granting the objection must not materially impair any right contained in an agreement between the park and the operator.

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Location of drilling gas and oil wells. Adds the definitions of “public park” and “publicly owned park” to the definition section of the Virginia Gas and Oil Act and prohibits gas and oil drilling on any land where drilling will adversely affect any publicly owned park, unless approved jointly by the Department and by the agency with jurisdiction over the park. This bill also prohibits exploration in a park unless the applicant obtains an exploration permit from the Department. The Department may not issue an exploration permit unless the applicant demonstrates and the Department finds in writing that the exploration will comply with the applicable performance standards of the Act and that exploration will not adversely affect threatened or endangered species or listed cultural and historic resources. This bill also prohibits drilling beneath public parks unless the applicant can demonstrate, and the Department finds, that subsidence will not cause material damage to, or reduce the reasonable foreseeable use of, the park features or facilities.