Prior to granting conditional approval of an application for partial removal of an offshore oil structure, the department shall do all of the following:
(a) Prepare a plan to manage the offshore oil structure after its partial removal. The plan shall include measures to manage fishery and marine life resources at and around the structure in a manner that will ensure that the net benefits to the marine environment identified pursuant to Section 6613 are maintained or enhanced. Consistent with state and federal law, management measures may include a buffer zone in which fishing or removal of marine life is restricted or prohibited.
(b) Provide an opportunity for public comment on the application pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act.
(c) Hold a public hearing in the county nearest to the location of the offshore oil structure that is the subject of the application.
(Added by Stats. 2010, Ch. 687, Sec. 1. (AB 2503) Effective January 1, 2011.)
Last modified: October 25, 2018