11.25.1. Fracturing and acidizing of any well shall be performed in strict compliance with applicable OCD rules and the practices of a reasonable and prudent operator. Fracturing pressures shall be controlled to limit the extent to which fractures escape the zone being fractured. Fracturing operations may be monitored by the Oil and Gas Inspector to ensure compliance with these standards.

11.25.2. All oil or gas operations, including fracturing and drilling for exploratory wells, shall be conducted only during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Upon an Applicant’s request, fracturing and exploratory well drilling may be permitted outside these hours if approved by the CDRC on a case-by-case basis. The CDRC shall take into account whether the specific land use or environmental conditions warrant such an allowance. An extended hour application shall not be granted if there are residences within 1/2 mile of the drill site. If approved for extended exploratory drilling or fracturing hours, Applicants shall at all times abide by all performance standards established in this Ordinance.

11.25.3.  Fracturing operations shall not create a sound level of greater than 80 dB(a) when measured at a distance of three hundred (300) feet from the source of the sound.

11.25.4. Fracturing operations shall only use fresh water as the fluid component of the fracturing material. Water and sand used in fracturing operations shall not contain dissolved hydrocarbons or other toxic contaminants. The use of synthetic fracturing fluids is prohibited. Fracturing with brine is prohibited. Fresh water that meets or exceeds drinking water standards shall be used and such water shall be obtained from the County or a municipal system that supplies drinking water, or a private source, and shall comply with the Water Availability Assessment. If the County Petroleum Engineer agrees, subject to clear and convincing evidence, that use of fresh water during fracturing operations would damage the rock formation so that the oil and gas cannot be recovered, use of other fluids may be authorized so long as the exact constituents of the fluids are on the prescribed list of chemicals, minerals, or materials and approved by the Board, a groundwater monitoring program is established, and the need for the use of the specific constituents are verified by the County Petroleum Engineer and approved by a medical professional, both to be selected by the County. Fracturing pressures shall be strictly controlled as provided in the previous paragraph to the satisfaction of the County Petroleum Engineer and oil and gas inspector.

11.25.5. After fracturing operations are completed, all fluids used in the operations shall, to the extent technologically possible, be removed from the well.

11.25.6. Pollution of the surface or any surface or subsurface fresh waters before, during and after the fracing process is prohibited.

See SECTION 11: OIL AND GAS SPECIAL USE AND DEVELOPMENT PERMIT PROVISIONS for complete, detailed information.