Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 17, September 10, 2024
a.
Purpose of Comprehensive Area Plans.
(1) The Commission intends for Comprehensive
Area Plans ("CAPs") to facilitate evaluating and addressing cumulative impacts
from oil and gas development in a broad geographic area by identifying plans
for one or more Operators to develop Oil and Gas Locations within a region
while avoiding, minimizing, and mitigating impacts to public health, safety,
welfare, the environment, and wildlife resources in the region through
systematic planning of infrastructure location, Best Management Practices, and
centralizing facilities.
(2) The
Commission intends to create incentives for Operators to develop CAPs by
conveying an exclusive right to operate in the area covered by the CAP for an
appropriate duration of time.
(3)
The Commission encourages Operators to develop CAPs. The Commission may direct
the Director to meet with an Operator to discuss whether submission of a CAP is
appropriate. The Director may request a meeting with an Operator to discuss
whether submission of a CAP is appropriate pursuant to Rule
303.a.(8).
b.
Rights Conveyed.
(1) If the
Commission approves a CAP, the approved CAP will convey the exclusive right to
develop the oil and gas formation or formations that are the subject of the CAP
within the CAP's geographic boundaries for the duration of the CAP as specified
by Rule 314.c.
(2) Approved Oil and
Gas Development Plans, Drilling and Spacing Units, Form 2As, and Form 2s within
an approved CAP will not expire until the CAP expires pursuant to Rule 314.c,
but will expire at the time the CAP expires.
(3) If the Commission approves a CAP, the
Operator need not separately evaluate cumulative impacts for each individual
Oil and Gas Development Plan proposed within the CAP, as would otherwise be
required by Rule 303.a.(5).
(4)
Expedited review of associated Oil and Gas Development Plans pursuant to Rule
306.d.
(5) Preliminary siting
approval of future Oil and Gas Locations within the CAP if the Operator meets
the informational requirements of Rule 314.e.(11) and the consultation
requirements of Rule 314.f.(4).A.iii.
A. An
Operator seeking preliminary siting approval through a CAP will submit the
information identified in Rule 314.e.(11) as part of its CAP
application.
B. If an Operator
receives preliminary siting approval, the Operator need not submit an
alternative location analysis pursuant to Rule 304.b.(2) as part of the Form 2A
application for any associated Form 2A applications.
C. If an Operator receives preliminary siting
approval, as an attachment to the Form 2A application for any associated Form
2A applications, the Operator will submit a description of any changes to the
surrounding land use, or future land use changes contemplated in a Local
Government planning document, from between the time the CAP was approved and
the time the Form 2A is submitted.
D. Preliminary siting approval pursuant to
Rule 314 does not guarantee that the Commission will ultimately approve any
associated Form 2As within an approved CAP.
(6) Approval of a CAP does not constitute
approval of an Oil and Gas Development Plan, Drilling and Spacing Unit, Form
2A, or Form 2. Operators will submit all Oil and Gas Development Plans,
Drilling and Spacing Unit applications, Form 2As, and Form 2s as ordinarily
required by the Commission's Rules for all locations and Wells within an
approved CAP. However, during the course of consultation about a CAP pursuant
to Rule 314.f.(4), a consulting entity may waive future consultations for
subsequently submitted Oil and Gas Development Plans and other permits that are
associated with the CAP.
c.
Duration. Approved CAPs will
expire 6 years after the date the Commission approves the CAP, unless the
Commission issues an Order to approve a different duration or extend the
duration pursuant to Rules 314.c.(1) & (2).
(1)
Initial Approval for Longer
Duration. The Commission may approve a different duration based on a
request in the CAP application materials. Such a request will include:
A. A reasonable and consistent development
schedule for fully developing minerals subject to the CAP;
B. A reasonable and consistent development
schedule for building appropriate infrastructure and a description of how that
infrastructure will facilitate avoiding, minimizing, or mitigating potential
adverse impacts to public health, safety, welfare, the environment, or wildlife
resources, including but not limited to emissions reductions
strategies;
C. A description of why
the proposed duration is consistent with any long-term land use planning
documents for each Relevant Local Government; and
D. A description of any planned mitigation
for adverse impacts to Wildlife Resources within the boundaries of the proposed
CAP.
(2)
Extensions.A. The Commission may
extend the duration of the CAP if the Operator submits an application pursuant
to Rule 503.g.(8), and the Operator demonstrates that:
i. It has diligently pursued development of
the mineral resources within the CAP; and
ii. No significant surface land use changes
have occurred within the CAP that would substantially alter the cumulative
impacts of the CAP on relevant resources.
B. The Commission may approve or deny the
extension of the CAP following a hearing pursuant to Rule 510. The Commission
may extend the CAP by any duration it determines is necessary and reasonable to
protect and minimize adverse impacts to public health, safety, welfare, the
environment, and wildlife resources.
C. If the Commission approves an extension of
the CAP, the Operator may re-apply for another extension, subject to the
procedures of this Rule 314.c.(2).
d.
Submission Procedure.
(1) One or more Operators (collectively, the
"Operator") may apply for a CAP at any time by submitting the application
materials specified in Rule 314.e electronically pursuant to Rule
503.g.(8).
(2) The Operator will
coordinate with the Director and submit all information necessary for the
Director and Commission to fully evaluate the CAP's cumulative impacts on
public health, safety, welfare, the environment, and wildlife
resources.
(3) At any time after a
CAP application is submitted, the Director may request any information
necessary to review the CAP application. The Operator will provide all
requested information before the Director issues the Director's
Recommendation.
(4) When the
Director has obtained all information necessary to fully review the CAP's
cumulative impacts on public health, safety, welfare, the environment, and
wildlife resources, the Director will make a completeness
determination.
(5)
Requests
to Stay Other Applications. An Operator may include a request for
preliminary relief in its CAP application that the Commission put a hold on
taking final action on Oil and Gas Development Plan and Drilling and Spacing
Unit applications related to minerals subject to the proposed CAP while the
Commission and Director conduct their review of the CAP application.
A. Such a request will include the mineral
ownership information required pursuant to Rule 314.e.(9).
B. If the CAP application includes such a
request for relief, the Secretary will notice the request for relief for
expedited hearing pursuant to Rule 503.a at the time the Director issues the
completeness determination.
C.
Mineral Owners within the proposed CAP may file a petition protesting the
requested relief pursuant to Rule 507.
e.
Informational Requirements for
Comprehensive Area Plan. At a minimum, the Operator will submit the
following materials as components of its CAP application:
(1)
Contact Information.
A. The name, telephone number, and e-mail
address for the primary contact person about the CAP for each
Operator.
B. The name, telephone
number, and e-mail address of every Relevant Local Government within the CAP's
boundaries.
C. The name, telephone
number, and e-mail address for all Local Governments with land use authority
within and within 2,000 feet of the CAP's boundaries.
D. Contact information for all persons who
will receive notice pursuant to Rule 314.f.(1).C.
(2)
Fees. Payment of the full
filing and service fee required by Rule 301.d.
(3)
Maps.
A. A topographic map in a suitable size and
scale for the Director to conduct a review showing the area proposed for the
CAP and proposed Oil and Gas Locations.
B. Maps or descriptions of all publicly
maintained roads, Operator-proposed haul routes, and proposed access road
locations.
C. Maps or descriptions
of proposed Gathering Line and Flowline infrastructure.
D. Maps or descriptions of proposed utility
lines.
E. A description of plans
for electrification of proposed Oil and Gas Operations.
F. One or more detailed maps showing all High
Priority Habitats and federally designated critical habitats for threatened and
endangered species within the CAP's boundaries. Operators will rely upon best
available information when assessing wildlife habitat within the CAP's
boundaries and may provide supplemental site-specific published reports or
wildlife surveys.
G. One or more
detailed maps generally delineating existing Building Units within the proposed
CAP's boundaries and specifically delineating all High Occupancy Building Units
and Designated Outside Activity Areas.
H. One or more detailed maps delineating
surface ownership within the proposed CAP's boundaries.
I. One or more detailed maps showing
characteristics of known Groundwater within the proposed CAP's boundaries,
including but not limited to depth of the water table, depths of known
Groundwater formations, and characteristics of the Groundwater including
salinity.
J. One or more maps
identifying areas defined as Disproportionately Impacted Communities.
K. One or more detailed maps
showing all riparian areas, Floodplains, Waters of the State, and Public Water
System facilities within the proposed CAP boundaries.
L. A map showing existing, permitted, and
proposed Oil and Gas Locations that are within the proposed CAP boundaries but
not subject to the proposed CAP.
(4)
GIS Data. GIS polygon data
to describe the CAP's external boundaries.
(5)
Density of Wells. The
proposed subsurface density of Wells within the boundaries of the
CAP.
(6)
Consolidation of Oil
and Gas Locations. The proposed density of Oil and Gas Locations within
the boundaries of the CAP (reported in Oil and Gas Locations per section). This
should include a narrative proposal, with maps and appropriate supporting
documentation, demonstrating the Operator's plan to consolidate Oil and Gas
Locations to the maximum extent possible within the boundaries of the
CAP.
(7)
Timing of
Operations. A narrative proposal, explaining the anticipated timing for
building infrastructure and developing proposed Oil and Gas
Locations.
(8)
Infrastructure
Planning. A narrative proposal, with appropriate supporting
documentation, demonstrating the Operator's plan to consolidate infrastructure
within the CAP, the timeline for installing any new infrastructure relative to
the planned construction dates for the proposed Wells, and a discussion of any
approvals necessary for the infrastructure to be built.
(9)
Mineral Rights. A map and
narrative that:
A. Demonstrates the location
of the minerals the Operator owns or has secured the consent of mineral Owners
to develop; and
B. Describes the
percentage of minerals the Operator owns or has secured the consent of mineral
Owners to develop.
(10)
Evaluating and Addressing Cumulative Impacts. The Operator will
provide quantitative and qualitative data to evaluate incremental adverse
impacts and beneficial contributions to each resource listed below that are
likely to be caused by Oil and Gas Operations associated with the proposed CAP.
Data will include a summary of Best Management Practices or other measures the
Operator will employ to avoid, minimize, and mitigate impacts to each resource.
A.
Air Resources. A quantitative
evaluation of the projected incremental increase in emissions of the pollutants
listed below, estimated for each year of and five years after the proposed
CAP's duration. The emissions estimate will include both stationary and mobile
sources of emissions during both pre-production activities and emissions during
full production. The evaluation will include any emissions reductions due to
the Operator's Plugging and Abandonment of existing oil and gas Wells within
the CAP boundaries for the year when the plugging operation occurs.
i. Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx);
ii. Carbon monoxide (CO);
iii. Volatile Organic Compounds
(VOCs);
iv. Methane
(CH4);
v. Ethane (C2H6);
vi. Carbon dioxide (CO2); and
vii. Nitrous oxide (N2O).
B.
Public Health and
Safety. A quantitative evaluation of incremental increase in emissions
of the categories of pollutants listed below, estimated for each year of and
five years after the proposed CAP's duration. The emissions estimate will
include both stationary and mobile sources of emissions during both
pre-production activities and emissions during full production. The evaluation
will include any emissions reductions due to the Operator's Plugging and
Abandonment of existing oil and gas Wells within the CAP boundaries for the
year when the plugging operation occurs. The evaluation will also include a
qualitative evaluation of potential public health and safety risks associated
with these emissions.
i. Total hazardous air
pollutants;
ii. Specific hazardous
air pollutants with known health impacts, including:
aa. Benzene;
bb. Toluene;
cc. Ethylbenzene;
dd. Xylenes;
ee. n-Hexane;
ff. 2,2,4-Trimethylpentane
(2,2,4-TMP);
gg. Hydrogen sulfide
(H2S);
hh. Formaldehyde;
and
ii. Methanol.
C.
Water Resources.i. For any CAP
that includes a proposed Oil and Gas Location that will be listed as a
sensitive area for water resources or is within 2,640 feet of a surface Water
of the State, the total planned on-location storage volume of (measured in
Barrels (bbls)) of:
aa. Oil;
bb. Condensate;
cc. Produced water; and
dd. Other volumes of stored hydrocarbons,
Chemicals, or E&P Waste Fluids.
ii. The Operator will identify and evaluate
potential contaminant migration pathways and likely distances from Oil and Gas
Locations that may be proposed within the CAP to the nearest downstream
riparian corridors, wetlands, and surface Waters of the State. If the Operator
identifies any such contaminant migration pathways:
aa. The Operator will provide a qualitative
evaluation of the baseline conditions in the riparian corridor, wetland, or
surface Water of the State; and
bb.
Identify Best Management Practices to avoid, minimize, or mitigate potential
adverse impacts to the identified riparian corridors, wetlands, and surface
waters of the State.
iii. A qualitative evaluation of potential
impacts to, and a summary of Best Management Practices or other measures to
avoid, minimize, or mitigate adverse impacts to the following categories of
Public Water System intakes and wells within the boundaries of the CAP:
aa. Surface water supply areas as defined in
Rule 411.a.(1);
bb. Public Water
System supply wells that are groundwater under the direct influence of surface
water wells or Type III wells as defined in Rule 411.b.(1); and
cc. Any surface water Public Water System
intakes within 15 stream miles downstream of the CAP boundaries.
iv. A qualitative evaluation of
the potential for erosion and sedimentation to adversely impact water quality,
and a summary of Best Management Practices or other measures to avoid,
minimize, or mitigate adverse impacts.
v. The total volume of water the Operator
plans to use (measured in bbls), an inventory of the sources from which the
Operator intends to obtain the water, and estimated volumes, from each of the
following sources:
aa. Freshwater from any
Groundwater source;
bb. Freshwater
from any lake or stream source;
cc.
Freshwater from any domestic water source;
dd. Reclaimed water from a municipal source;
and
ee. Recycled or reused E&P
Waste.
vi. A qualitative
evaluation of the Operator's plan for recycling or disposal of Flowback water
and produced water, and the estimated volumes (measured in bbls) of each
planned method.
D.
Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife and Ecosystem Resources. A
quantitative evaluation of potential impacts to Wildlife Resources as a result
of Oil and Gas Operations associated with the proposed CAP, including:
i. Total acreage of maximum new or expanded
surface disturbance associated with the proposed CAP;
ii. Total acreage disturbed after interim
Reclamation associated with the proposed CAP;
iii. A breakdown (by acreage) of the types of
current land use; and
iv. The
number of acres of new or expanded surface disturbance within High Priority
Habitat.
E.
Soil
Resources.
i. A qualitative evaluation
of incremental adverse impacts to topsoil as a result of surface disturbance
associated with the proposed CAP;
ii. A qualitative evaluation of incremental
adverse impacts on ecosystems, including any vegetative communities, as a
result of Oil and Gas Operations associated with the proposed CAP; and
iii. A quantitative evaluation of
any Reclamation activities associated with the Plugging and Abandonment of
existing Wells or closure of existing Oil and Gas Locations within the proposed
CAP's boundaries.
F.
Public Welfare. A qualitative or quantitative evaluation of
incremental adverse impacts to public welfare as a result of Oil and Gas
Operations associated with the proposed CAP, that addresses each of the
following potential sources of impacts to public welfare, over both a
short-term and long-term timeframe. The evaluation will include any
compensatory or other offset beneficial impacts.
i. Traffic;
ii. Noise;
iii. Light;
iv. Odor;
v. Dust; and
vi. Recreation and scenic values.
G.
Disproportionately Impacted Communities. The census block groups
of any Disproportionately Impacted Communities within the CAP.
(11)
Siting
Information. If the Operator seeks preliminary siting approval pursuant
to Rule 314.b.(5), the Operator will submit the following information:
A. Alternative location analyses that meet
the criteria of Rule 304.b.(2).C for each proposed future Oil and Gas Location
within the CAP.
B. For each
proposed future Oil and Gas Location within the CAP, the information required
by Rules 304.b.(3), (4), (7), & (8).
C. Either:
i. The applicable long-term or comprehensive
land use plan for each Local Government within the CAP, that identifies current
and planned future land uses for all areas within the CAP for the proposed full
duration of the CAP; or
ii.
Certification that each Relevant Local Government agrees with each proposed Oil
and Gas Location within its boundaries.
D. An Operator seeking preliminary siting
approval pursuant to Rule 314.b.(5) will consult with the Director during the
course of the Director's review of the CAP application to determine whether the
informational and plan requirements of Rules 304.b. and 304.c are substantially
satisfied by the information contained in the CAP.
E. An Operator seeking preliminary siting
approval pursuant to Rule 314.b.(5) will provide notice of the CAP application
to Building Unit owners and tenants within 2,000 feet of each proposed Oil and
Gas Location.
(12)
Completeness Certification. A certification that the Operator has
submitted all materials required by this Rule 314.e.
f.
Public Review Process.
(1)
Notice.
A. When the Director issues a completeness
determination pursuant to Rule 314.d.(4), the Director will post the CAP
application and all supporting materials to the Commission's website. The
website posting will provide:
i. The date by
which public comments must be received to be considered; and
ii. The mechanism for the public to provide
comments.
B.
Confidentiality. If the Operator designates any portion of its CAP
application as "confidential" pursuant to Rule 223, then the Director will post
only the redacted version when the CAP is posted to the Commission's
website.
C. Within 5 days of the
Director issuing the completeness determination, the Operator will provide
notice to the following:
i. All Owners of
minerals that would be developed under the CAP;
ii. All Surface Owners of the Operator's
proposed Oil and Gas Locations;
iii. All Local Governments within the CAP's
boundaries;
iv. All Local
Governments within 2,000 feet of the CAP's boundaries;
v. CDPHE;
vi. CPW;
vii. The Colorado State Land Board (if it
owns any minerals or surface estate within the CAP);
viii. The appropriate federal agency (if any
federal entity owns minerals or surface estate within the CAP);
ix. The Southern Ute Indian Tribe (if the CAP
involves any minerals within the exterior boundary of the Tribe's reservation
where both the surface and oil and gas estates are owned in fee by persons or
entities other than the Tribe);
x.
All High Occupancy Building Units, Child Care Centers, and the School Governing
Body of any Schools located within the CAP's boundaries; and
xi. All Public Water Systems that operate
facilities within the CAP's boundaries.
D.
Procedure for Providing
Notice. The Operator will provide notice required by Rule 314.f.(1).C by
one of the following mechanisms:
i. Hand
delivery, with confirmation of receipt;
ii. Certified mail, return-receipt
requested;
iii. Electronic mail,
with electronic receipt confirmation; or
iv. By other delivery service with receipt
confirmation.
(2)
Comments.
A. The Commission will only consider comments
received within 60 days from the date the CAP is posted on the Commission's
website.
B. The Director will post
on the Commission's website all comments received unless they contain
confidential information.
C. Upon
request or by the Director's own initiative, the Director may extend the
comment period by any duration determined to be reasonable in order to obtain
relevant public input.
(3)
Public Meeting. An Operator
will hold at least 1 informational meeting with all persons or entities
entitled to notice pursuant to Rule 314.f.(1).C.
A.
Timing of Meeting. The
informational meeting will be held during the open public comment period, with
sufficient time for the attendees to make comment on the CAP application based
on information received. The meeting will be held at a date and time reasonable
for most invitees to attend.
B.
Language Access. All written and oral information provided at a
public meeting will also be provided in all languages spoken by 5% or more of
the population in any census block groups within or adjacent to the proposed
CAP.
C.
Content of
Meeting. The Operator will provide at a minimum the following
information:
i. The schedule of
operations;
ii. Maps and figures of
the CAP area boundary and all Oil and Gas Locations subject to the CAP; and
iii. Anticipated Best Management
Practices to be employed during the term of the CAP to minimize adverse
environmental impacts on any air, water, soil, or biological resource resulting
from Oil and Gas Operations.
D. The Operator will provide to the Director
a summary of the meeting, attendees, questions and concerns expressed,
responses, and anticipated Best Management Practices designed to minimize and
mitigate impacts.
(4)
Consultation. Consultation about a CAP will allow the consulting
entities to provide input about the cumulative impacts associated with the CAP,
timing of operations, consolidation of infrastructure, and conveying the right
of Operatorship in the area of the CAP. Consultation about a CAP is intended to
be limited to these topics, and is not a replacement for consultation otherwise
required for individual Oil and Gas Development Plans.
A.
Local Governments.
i. During the public comment period, the
Director will engage in a Formal Consultation Process with all Local
Governments within the CAP and Local Governments within 2,000 feet of the CAP's
boundaries, unless any Local Government waives its right to consultation.
ii. The Local Government Formal
Consultation Process will include any relevant topics identified by the Local
Government, but will address at least:
aa.
The current land use of all areas within the CAP's boundaries, and all future
planned land uses of areas within the CAP's boundaries over the anticipated
duration of the CAP; and
bb.
Cumulative traffic impacts.
iii. If an Operator seeks preliminary siting
approval pursuant to Rule 314.b.(5), the Formal Consultation Process will
address whether the proposed future Oil and Gas Locations are consistent with
the long-term or comprehensive land use plan for all Local Governments within
the CAP's boundaries for the duration of the CAP.
B.
CPW.
i. During the public comment period, the
Director will engage in a Formal Consultation Process with CPW, unless CPW
waives its right to consultation.
ii. The Formal Consultation Process with CPW
may address any relevant topic, but will address the proposed CAP's cumulative
impacts on Wildlife Resources and measures to avoid, minimize, and mitigate
those impacts.
C.
CDPHE.
i. During the public
comment period, the Director will engage in a Formal Consultation Process with
CDPHE, unless CDPHE waives its right to consultation.
ii. The Formal Consultation Process with
CDPHE may address any relevant topic, but will address the proposed CAP's
cumulative impacts on public health and the environment, including air quality,
water quality, Public Water System supplies, and E&P Waste
disposal.
D.
Federal Government. For proposed CAPs that include federally-owned
or managed surface or mineral estate, the Director will engage in a Formal
Consultation Process with the applicable federal agency or agencies, unless the
agency or agencies waives their right to consultation.
g.
Director's
Recommendation on the Comprehensive Area Plan.
(1)
When the Director May Issue a
Recommendation. The Director will not make a Recommendation to the
Commission about whether to approve or deny any CAP until after:
A. The Director has fully reviewed the CAP
and all supporting application materials and has obtained all information
necessary to evaluate the proposed operations and their potential cumulative
impacts on public health, safety, welfare, the environment, and wildlife
resources.
B. The public comment
period has ended, including conducting a public meeting pursuant to Rule
314.f.(3), and the Director has considered all substantive public comments
received.
C. The Director has
completed the Formal Consultation Process with all Local Governments identified
in Rule 314.f.(4).A, CPW, CDPHE, and any federal agency identified in Rule
314.f.(4).D, unless any such entity waives its right to consultation.
(2)
Director's
Recommendation.
A.
Approval. The Director may Recommend that the Commission approve a
CAP that:
i. Complies with all requirements
of the Commission's Rules; and
ii.
Protects and minimizes adverse cumulative impacts to public health, safety,
welfare, the environment, and wildlife resources.
B.
Denial. If the Director
determines that a CAP does not meet the requirements of Rule 314, or provide
necessary and reasonable protections for, or minimize adverse impacts to,
public health, safety, welfare, the environment, and wildlife resources, or
fails to meet the requirements of the Commission's Rules, the Director may
Recommend that the Commission deny the CAP.
(3)
Notice of Director's
Recommendation. Upon issuing the Director's Recommendation, the Director
will post the written basis for the Director's Recommendation on the
Commission's website, and notify the following persons electronically in a
manner determined by the Director:
A. The
Operator;
B. All Local Governments
within the CAP;
C. Local
Governments within 2,000 feet of the CAP's boundaries;
D. CDPHE;
E. CPW;
F. The Colorado State Land Board (if it owns
any minerals or surface estate within the CAP);
G. The appropriate federal agency (if any
federal entity owns minerals or surface estate within the CAP); and
H. Any person or entity that has provided a
comment electronically pursuant to Rule
(4)
Petition for Review of the
Director's Recommendation. CPW, CDPHE, any Local Government within the
CAP or Local Governments within 2,000 feet of the CAP's boundaries, and any
Owners of minerals within the boundaries of the CAP may petition the Commission
to review the Director's Recommendation. Petitions of the Director's
Recommendation will comply with Rule 507.
(5) If the Director does not issue a
Recommendation within 180 days of a completeness determination pursuant to Rule
314.d.(4), the Operator may move for a hearing before the Commission,
Administrative Law Judge, or Hearing Officer. At such hearing, the Director
will provide an explanation of the status of the Director's review of the CAP
and any reasons for delay.
h.
Commission's Consideration of a
Comprehensive Area Plan.
(1) If the
Director recommends approval of a CAP, the CAP will be heard by the Commission
pursuant to Rules 509 & 510.
(2) If the Director recommends the denial of
the CAP, the Operator may petition the Director's Recommendation to the
Commission. The petition will be filed and heard pursuant to Rules 507 &
510.
(3)
Approval. The
Commission may approve a CAP that complies with all requirements of the
Commission's Rules and protects and minimizes adverse cumulative impacts to
public health, safety, welfare, the environment, and wildlife
resources.
(4)
Denial.
If the Commission determines that a CAP does not provide necessary and
reasonable protections for, or minimize adverse impacts to, public health,
safety, welfare, the environment, and wildlife resources, or fails to meet the
requirements of the Commission's Rules, the Commission may deny the CAP. The
Commission will identify in the record the basis for the denial.
(5)
Stay. If the Commission
determines that additional information or analysis is necessary for it to make
a decision to approve or deny a CAP, it will issue an order staying
consideration of the CAP for further consideration until the Director or
Operator can provide the Commission with the additional information or analysis
necessary to consider the CAP. The Commission may set or extend reasonable
deadlines for the Director or Operator to provide additional information or
analysis to the Commission.
(6)
Final Agency Action. The Commission's decision to approve or deny
a CAP will constitute final agency action. The Commission's decision to stay a
CAP for further consideration will not constitute final agency
action.
(7)
Changes to an
Approved CAP. Changes to an approved CAP will be approved or denied by
the Commission, after appropriate notice, consultation pursuant to Rule
314.f.(4) and Director review. The Director will have discretion to determine
appropriate notice and consultation requirements based on the scale and nature
of the changes.