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Rayzor Ranch Gas Drilling And Enforcement

The Denton City Council approved a specific-use permit in October allowing gas drilling on the Rayzor Ranch property with 21 conditions on top of the city's normal drilling rules. The conditions are listed along with the phone number of the city staff member or department responsible for enforcing them. DRC/Barron Ludlum A car headed down Bonnie Brae Street on Monday passes by a new gas drilling rig, which went up over the weekend on the east end of the Rayzor Ranch development. Gas drilling at the site is subject to 21 conditions on top of the city's normal drilling rules. View larger More photos Photo store

1. The approval did not waive any conditions attached to zoning changes approved for Rayzor Ranch in 2008. Contact: city attorney's office, 940-349-8333.

2. The operator must install an 8-foot-tall limestone screening and security fence around the site, with an access gate on the northern wall, as well as a vegetative buffer on the portion of the site along Bonnie Brae Street. Contact: Rodney Patterson, building inspections, 940-349-8539; or Nona Elaine Muncie, landscape administrator, 940-349-8233.

3. The screening fence and vegetative buffer must be built within 30 days after drilling operations are complete or planted during the first dormant season after drilling, if approved by the city landscape administrator. Contact: Rodney Patterson, building inspections, 940-349-8539; or Nona Elaine Muncie, landscape administrator, 940-349-8233.

4. If screening or landscaping is damaged or removed during fracturing or refracturing operations, the operator must replace it. Contact: Nona Elaine Muncie, landscape administrator, 940-349-8233.

5. A submitted site plan will guide the development of gas wells on the site, subject to condition No. 19 below. Contact: Charles Meyers, fire marshal's office, 940-349-8323.

6. The maximum allowable ambient noise level can't exceed 79 decibels, as measured 300 feet from the site's boundary. Contact: Charles Meyers, fire marshal's office, 940-349-8323.

7. If the operator violates an approved noise management plan, it will have 24 hours from the notice of violation to correct the problem before a citation is issued. The city can grant additional 24-hour extensions if the operator can't identify the source of the violation "after reasonable diligence." Contact: Charles Meyers, fire marshal's office, 940-349-8323.

8. The operator must make sure employees park vehicles onsite only. Contact: Charles Meyers, fire marshal's office, 940-349-8323.

9. Before drilling gas wells, the operator must install a sound barrier at least 14 feet high along the perimeter of the 3-acre site, except for a 30-foot security fence and gate securing the north side of the site. Contact: Rodney Patterson, building inspections, 940-349-8539; or Earl Escobar, engineering department, 940-349-8353.

10. The operator must monitor the site daily during drilling, fracturing and completion of the wells to make sure that noise levels don't surpass 79 decibels, as measured 300 feet from the site's boundary. Contact: Charles Meyers, fire marshal's office, 940-349-8323.

11. The operator must use an atmosphere monitor during drilling to detect the accumulation of any hydrocarbon gases "at or above the lower explosive limit." The operator must immediately notify the fire department and take corrective action as directed by the fire marshal. Contact: Charles Meyers, fire marshal's office, 940-349-8323.

12. Entry and exit from the gas well site is restricted to 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends unless drilling or fracturing operations are "actively in progress." Contact: police department, 940-349-8181.

13. Drilling and fracturing of all five gas wells must be finished within two years of the date drilling begins on the first well. Contact: code enforcement, 940-349-7451.

14. Gas well operations will incorporate a list of "best practices" suggested by the driller to lessen noise. Contact: Nana Appiah, planning department, 940-349-7785.

15. The operator must use a closed-loop drilling mud system during drilling operations. Contact: Charles Meyers, fire marshal's office, 940-349-8323.

16. Directional lighting must be optimized to minimize disturbance of residential neighbors to the east. Contact: Nana Appiah, planning department, 940-349-7785.

17. Gas flaring is restricted to 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. Contact: Charles Meyers, fire marshal's office, 940-349-8323.

18. The operator must use its "best efforts" to get access to and from the gas well site from the west, through the Allegiance Hillview property, to the proximity of Interstate 35 and Scripture Street. Contact: Nana Appiah, planning department, 940-349-7785.

19. The wellhead locations must be located as far west as possible. Contact: Nana Appiah, planning department, 940-349-7785.

20. A maximum of five storage tanks are allowed onsite, and none can exceed 8 feet in height. Contact: Charles Meyers, fire marshal's office, 940-349-8323.

21. Violation of any of the above conditions is cause for prosecution under city code, or for revocation of the specific-use permit. Contact: city attorney's office, 940-349-8333.

Citizen questions or complaints

During business hours, residents can contact the listed staff members with questions on specific conditions. The lead city staff member for the operation is Brian Lockley, who can be reached at 940-349-8378.

During non-business hours, residents can contact the following:

* For complaints that involve life and safety issues, call 911.

* For complaints dealing with noise coming for the site, call the police department at 940-349-8181.

SOURCE: City of Denton

 

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