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Backup Documents 06/11/2013 Item #15D15D Press Release Commissioner Tim Nance Contact: 3299 Tamiami Trail East, Suite 303 239- 252 -8604 Naples, F134112 -5746 June 3, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Follow -up to Neighborhood Information Meeting on Oil Well Permit Applications (Naples, FL) — District 5 County Commissioner Tim Nance hosted a neighborhood information meeting on Thursday, May 30th at 6:30 pm at the Collier County UF/IFAS Extension Office at 14700 Immokalee Road. This meeting was held to provide information and address concerns of neighbors in the area of the 24th Ave SE regarding recent notices received pertaining to proposed oil exploration and wells. Representatives of Collier Resources, Dan A Hughes, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and other individuals and agencies, were in attendance. More than 100 residents attended. This meeting was hosted by Commissioner Nance for three purposes: 1. To provide accurate information on the proposed project to neighbors and the community 2. To allow neighbors to ask questions and have their concerns addressed 3. To provide contacts for additional information and for any follow -up questions and concerns. As a follow -up, some general questions are provided for information: FAQs regarding Oil Wells and Permitting Q: What types of Oil and Gas well permits have been applied for in Collier County? A: As of May 15th, 2013, there have been 3 application types filed with the State in the last 6 months: 1 for an exploratory well, 1 for a salt water disposal well and 1 a production well. To staff's knowledge, there have been no permits filed for a Natural Gas well Q: What permit applications have been filed with the State for oil and gas exploration wells just east of Golden Gate Estates off of 24th Avenue S. E.? A: Two (2) permit applications have been filed with the state Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Oil and Gas Program near this location by the Dan A. Hughes Company LP. The first application (April 26, 2013) is for a Salt Water Disposal well (Well Permit #22 -5 SWDW). The second application (May 2, 2013) is for a Production Well (Well Permit #22 -3H). Q: Doesn't the County regulate and oversee the environmental permitting process? A: No. FDEP is the primary agency to regulate this process to address environmental issues. In fact, the County's Growth Management Plan designates the FDEP as the environmental permitting agency for any natural gas or oil well permits. The County is not charged with this responsibility. The County does have opportunity to provide input/comments during the 30 day review /comment period in association with the FDEP permit process. Q: Does the County have any involvement after the state permit approval process? A: If the FDEP approves the permit, then for "Oil and gas exploration ", a County Site Development Plan (SDP) would be required (LDC 2.03.01.A. l .a.6). That SDP would still govern if that exploratory well transitioned to a single well production site. A Condition g p al Use (CU) permit is required for "Oil and gas field �0, elopment and production" (LDC 2.03.01.A.1.c.18), this requirement would apply only if there is a series of interconnected well sites with shared above ground infrastructures, such as pipelines, production facilities, field worker stations, common storage facilities, etc. Q: Is the FDEP required to hold public meetings when well permits are applied for? A: Not necessarily. It would depend upon the Classification it falls under. Holding public meetings is not a requirement. If this was an "off shore" well permit applied for, public meetings would be held. Q: What is FDEP's notification process for applied for wells? A: The FDEP follows basic permit notification procedures. Once the permit is issued, the applicant or impacted public has 21 days to correctly file an objection to the permit with FDEP Q: When does the FDEP Public Comment Period end for the permit application for the well east of 24th Ave SE? A: The FDEP comment period has been extended at the request of the applicant to June 30, 2013. You can address comments to Steve Spencer, FDEP Oil & Gas Program, 850- 488 -8217 or steve.spencer @dep.state.fl.us Q: Who do we contact at FDEP for more detailed information pertaining to this /these applicant permits? A: Ed Garrett, Geologist/Administrator (850) 488 -8217 X12 or via email at Ed.Garrett@dep.state.fl.us Paul Attwood, local Professional Geologist (239) 344 -5721 or via email at Atwood_P @dep.state.fl.us Steve Spencer, FDEP, Oil and Natural Gas Division at (850) 488 -8217 Q: Who in the County do we contact for information on Collier County approvals? A: Mike Bosi, Growth Management Division, Comprehensive Planning Manager, at 252 -6819. For Additional Information: A. Business Owners Collier Resources 239- 403 -6776 Barron Collier Co: Tom Jones Collier Enterprises: Christian Spilker B. Oil & Gas Exploration Professionals working for Collier Resources: Drillers: Dan A Hughes: Hank Kremers 361 - 358 -3752 Dan Ilseng 361- 358 -3752 Consultants: Environmental: Passarella & Assoc Tom Passarella Water Resources: Schlumberger USA Doug Wells C. Permitting Agencies State of Florida Department of Environmental Protecton (FDEP) Pierre Bruno 239 - 344 -5611 Ed Garrett 850- 488 -8217 Paul Attwood 239 - 344 -5721 Steve Spencer 850- 488 -8217 South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) Thomas Colios 561- 686 -8800 239 - 274 -0067 239 - 481 -6494 Pierre. Bruno @dep. state. fl. us Ed.Garrett@dep.state.fl.us Attwood—P@dep.state.fl.us steve. spencer @dep. state. fl.us 800 - 432 -2045 The Golden Gate Estates Area Civic Association is hosting an informational presentation at the request of the applicant at their monthly meeting on Wednesday June 19, 2013 at 7:00 pm at the Golden Gate Fire Station #71 meeting room - 100 13th Ave SE, behind the Estates Branch Library. For more information, contact Jim Flanagan by emailing JimFlanagangeollier ov.net or by calling (239) 252- 8604. -End-