Section 6613 Of Article 2. Partial Removal Of Offshore Oil Structures From California Fish And Game Code >> Division 6. >> Part 1. >> Chapter 5.5. >> Article 2.
6613
. (a) The council shall determine whether the partial removal
of an offshore oil structure pursuant to this chapter provides a net
benefit to the marine environment compared to the full removal of the
structure.
(b) As a necessary prerequisite to determining net environmental
benefit as required in subdivision (a), the council shall, upon
receipt of its initial application from the department pursuant to
Section 6610, establish appropriate criteria for evaluating the net
environmental benefit of full removal and partial removal of offshore
oil structures.
(1) The criteria shall include, but are not limited to, the depth
of the partially removed structure in relation to its value as
habitat and the location of the structure, including its proximity to
other reefs, both natural and artificial.
(2) The criteria shall not include any consideration of the funds
to be generated by the partial removal of the structure.
(3) In determining the criteria, the council shall consult with
appropriate entities, including, but not limited to, the department,
the commission, the California Coastal Commission, and the California
Ocean Science Trust.
(4) The council shall establish the criteria in time to use them
in making its initial determination of net environmental benefit
pursuant to this section.
(c) Upon certification of environmental documents pursuant to the
California Environmental Quality Act, the council shall, based on the
criteria developed pursuant to subdivision (b) and other relevant
information, determine whether partial removal of the structure would
provide a net benefit to the marine environment compared to full
removal of the structure. In making the determination, the council
shall, at a minimum, take into account the following:
(1) The contribution of the proposed structure to protection and
productivity of fish and other marine life.
(2) Any adverse impacts to biological resources or water quality,
or any other marine environmental impacts, from the full removal of
the facility that would be avoided by partial removal as proposed in
the application.
(3) Any adverse impacts to biological resources or water quality,
or any other marine environmental impacts, from partial removal of
the structure as proposed in the application.
(4) Any benefits to the marine environment that would result from
the full removal of the structure or from partial removal as proposed
in the application.
(5) Any identified management requirements and restrictions of the
partially removed structure, including, but not limited to,
restrictions on fishing or other activities at the site.
(d) Benefits resulting from the contribution of cost savings to
the endowment shall not be considered in the determination of net
environmental benefit.
(e) The council may contract or enter into a memorandum of
understanding with any other appropriate governmental or
nongovernmental entity to assist in its determination of net
environmental benefit.
(f) The determination made pursuant to this section and submitted
to the department by the council shall constitute the final
determination and shall not be revised except by the council.
(g) The council shall take all feasible steps to complete its
determination in a timely manner that accommodates the department's
schedule for consideration of the application.