A. Abandoned Wells. The surface area of the site shall be returned to its natural condition including but not limited to cleaning all oil, oil residues, drilling fluids, muds and other substances; leveling, grading or filling of sumps, ditches, and cellars including removal of all lining materials to the satisfaction of the CalGEM. The permittee shall also be responsible for repairing any streets, sidewalks or other public property that may have been damaged in connection with any operation on the site, except for ordinary wear and tear of said improvements, to substantially the same or better condition as existed before operations commenced as determined by the city public works director.

B. Idle Wells. Whenever a well becomes idle as defined in this chapter, the director of prevention services, or designee, shall send notice thereof by registered mail, to the surface owner, mineral rights owner and lessee of land as shown on the latest equalized assessment roll of the county, and permittee, that a request to abandon the well will be sent to the CalGEM unless operations are resumed or that the operator provides verification that the well is under the CalGEM’s idle well program. If there is no response to said notice within ninety days of the receipt of the notice, or the extension of time expires, the director of prevention services, or designee, shall request the CalGEM to commence abandonment proceedings.

C. Deserted Wells. As defined in this chapter, the director of prevention services, or designee, may request that the CalGEM commence abandonment proceedings. (Ord. 5086 § 4, 2022; Ord. 4058 § 2, 2002; Ord. 3477 § 1, 1992)