California Code of Regulations
Title 14 - Natural Resources
Division 2 - Department of Conservation
Chapter 4 - Development, Regulation, and Conservation of Oil and Gas Resources
Subchapter 1 - Onshore Well Regulations
Article 4 - Underground Injection Control
Section 1724.6 - Approval of Underground Injection Projects
Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024
(a) Operators shall obtain a Project Approval Letter from the Division for each underground injection project before any injection occurs as part of the underground injection project. The operator requesting approval for such a project must provide the appropriate Division district deputy with the data specified in Section 1724.7 and any data that, in the judgment of the Division, are pertinent and necessary for the proper evaluation of the project. When reviewing a proposal for a new underground injection project, the Division will consult with the State Water Resources Control Board or the Regional Water Quality Control Board.
(b) The Project Approval Letter shall specify the location and nature of the underground injection project, as well as the conditions of the Division's approval. The Project Approval Letter shall include identification of the approved injection zone for the underground injection project, and the approved injection zone shall not include a USDW. The Division may specify a limited duration of approval for an underground injection project in the Project Approval Letter. All underground injection projects shall be operated in accordance with the requirements of this subchapter and the terms and conditions of the current Project Approval Letter.
(c) Any subsequent modification of an underground injection project requires the prior approval of the Division and shall be memorialized in either an addendum to the Project Approval Letter or a revised Project Approval Letter.
(d) The Division will review existing underground injection projects periodically, but not less than once every three years, to verify compliance with the requirements of this subchapter and the terms and conditions of the Project Approval Letter, and will periodically review the terms and conditions of the Project Approval Letter to ensure that they are effectively preventing damage to life, health, property, and natural resources. Project Approval Letters are subject to suspension, modification, or rescission by the Division.
(e) If the Division determines that the operation of an underground injection project is inconsistent with this subchapter or the terms and conditions of a current Project Approval Letter, or otherwise poses a threat to life, health, property, or natural resources, then upon written notice from the Division injection operations shall cease immediately, or as soon as it is safe to do so. Underground injection projects or injection operations suspended upon written notice from the Division or for any of the reasons specified under Section 1724.13 shall not resume without subsequent written approval from the Division.
(f) Within 60 days after transfer of an underground injection project to a new operator, the new operator shall meet with Division staff to ensure a complete understanding of the applicable requirements and terms and conditions of the Project Approval Letter.
1. New section filed 2-17-78; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 78, No. 7).
2. Amendment filed 12-28-84; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 84, No. 52).
3. Change without regulatory effect amending section filed 12-26-2006 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2006, No. 52).
4. Amendment of section and NOTE filed 2-6-2019; operative 4-1-2019 (Register 2019, No. 6).
Note: Authority cited: Sections 3013 and 3106, Public Resources Code. Reference: Section 3106, Public Resources Code.
