[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Highland 1-13-2009 by L.L. No.
2-2009.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Flood damage prevention — See Ch. 70.
Highways — See Ch. 90.
Logging — See Ch. 115.
Subdivisions — See Ch. 160.
Zoning — See Ch. 190.
[1]
Editor's Note: This local law was adopted as Ch. 170,
but was renumbered to fit into the alphabetical organization of the
Code.
This chapter of the Town of Highland Code, entitled "Seismic
Surveys," is hereby enacted to preserve and protect the Town highways
located in the Town of Highland.
Seismic exploration is the primary method of exploring for subterranean
hydrocarbon deposits. When a survey of the earth's substructure
takes place, the waves of sound vibrate underground and bounce back
to the surface and are analyzed. Controlled charges of dynamite, thumper
trucks or vibrator trucks are used on land to create the sound waves.
Since the thumper trucks and vibrator trucks often operate on local
roads and highways, the Town finds that it is in its interests to
regulate such activities on Town highways to protect the integrity
of the roadways, and the infrastructure thereunder, and to minimize
impacts on traffic.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Any person who makes an application for a permit authorized
by this chapter.
The date that the permit holder notifies the Town that the
seismic survey has been completed.
A recording device used in the collection of sound waves
for a seismic survey.
Any equipment used in the clearing of brush and smaller trees
and typically used in the creation of seismic lines.
A person to whom a permit has been issued pursuant to the
requirements of this chapter.
The locations for the distribution of explosive devices and
recorders to be used in certain forms of seismic surveys. This term
is also referred to as a "source line."
The production and recordation of images produced by generating
and analyzing sound waves that travel through the earth. It includes
any geophysical operation that uses a seismic energy source to generate
acoustic waves that propagate through the earth for the purposes of
exploration. It also includes any reflection seismology used to map
the subsurface structure of rock formations or gather data to map
structural maps that could potentially contain hydrocarbons.
Any vehicle, including but not limited to any weight-drop
truck, that emits acoustic waves by dropping a weight to the ground
for purposes of conducting a seismic survey.
Includes any highway located in the Town of Highland meeting
the definition of New York Highway Law § 3(5) and shall
include the necessary sluices, drains, ditches, waterways, embankments,
retaining walls, rights-of-way, culverts and bridge approaches appurtenant
thereto.
Any vehicle, including but not limited to a vehicle that
contains a shaker unit or vibrator, that emits energy signals into
the earth for the purposes of conducting a seismic survey.
A.
No person shall conduct any seismic survey, operate a vibroseis truck,
or use a geophone on any Town highway without first obtaining
a permit under the provisions of this chapter.
B.
No person shall conduct any seismic survey, operate a vibroseis truck,
or use a geophone on any Town highway between the hours of 6:00 p.m.
and 8:00 a.m., Monday through Friday, or on any Saturday, Sunday or
national holiday unless a permit issued hereunder expressly provides
otherwise.
C.
No person shall operate a thumper truck, operate mulching equipment
with the intent to create a seismic line, drill holes for any explosive
charge, or use any explosive charges in connection with any seismic
survey on or within 100 feet of any Town highway unless a permit issued
hereunder expressly provides otherwise.
D.
No person shall conduct any seismic survey, operate a vibroseis truck
or thumper truck, operate mulching equipment with the intent to create
a seismic line, drill holes for any explosive charge or use any explosive
charges or use a geophone in connection with any seismic survey on
any private land within the Town of Highland without providing 10
days' advance written notice of such seismic survey or related activity
to the Town Code Enforcement Officer.
A.
Where a seismic survey is planned to be conducted on any Town highway
by any person, such person must secure a permit pursuant to this section.
B.
Application for permit.
(1)
The application shall be on a form provided by the Town Clerk for
such purpose and, if no form is available, shall contain the following
information:
(a)
The name, address and contact information of the applicant;
(b)
The name, address, and contact information of any subcontractors
who will be performing any work in connection with the seismic survey;
(c)
A description of the seismic survey, including a summary of
the methodology thereof, and the number of trucks and their gross
weight, to be used in the seismic survey;
(d)
A list of the Town highways (or portions thereof) and the length
in miles that will be traversed during the implementation of the seismic
surveys;
(e)
A specification of the dates, and hours during each day, on
which the seismic survey will be conducted;
(f)
The identification and contact information of the job foreman
or person responsible for the seismic survey and who shall be responsible
for ensuring that the implementation of the seismic survey complies
with any permit issued pursuant to this section;
(g)
A description of any road closures and plan for diversion of
traffic, if necessary, and a description of needed support personnel,
including flagmen, survey crews, police support, and any other similar
persons; and
(h)
Any other information that the Town Board may reasonably require.
(2)
The application for a permit shall be submitted at least 45 days
in advance of the proposed commencement of any seismic survey or related
activity.
C.
Issuance of permit; conditions.
(1)
Permit applications shall be made to the Town Clerk, who shall forward
each application to the Town Board for review and consideration. The
issuance of a permit shall be discretionary and shall be issued only
where the Town Board determines that
(2)
For each permit application, the Town Board shall consider the number
of days that the proposed survey will take place, the number of miles
of Town roads affected, the potential impact on Town roads and any
infrastructure thereunder, the impact of the survey upon traffic,
the financial resources of the applicant, and any other factors deemed
relevant by the Town Board.
(3)
The applicant must post security in the form to be determined by
the Town Board, which shall be in an amount to cover any potential
loss or damage to Town highways or any infrastructure within said
Town highways. Said security will be posted in accordance with a written
agreement, the form of which must be approved by the Town Attorney.
Said security must remain in place for six months after the completion
date of the seismic survey where the seismic survey is conducted on
a Town highway that contains sewer or water infrastructure and for
60 days after the completion date of the seismic survey on all other
Town highways. Within five days of the completion of the seismic survey,
the applicant shall notify the Town of the completion date.
(4)
The applicant must indemnify the Town to cover any potential loss
or damage resulting from the conduct of the seismic survey. In addition,
the applicant must provide evidence of insurance, including workers'
compensation insurance, automotive insurance, and comprehensive general
liability insurance, which shall be in an amount as determined by
the Town, and the Town shall be listed as an additional insured on
each such policy.
(5)
The Town Board may include any reasonable conditions in the permit,
including, but not limited to, a limitation of the term of the permit
to a fixed period of time, date, duration and location of the seismic
survey. Further, the Town Board may designate certain Town highways
upon which no survey may be conducted or upon which certain vehicles
are not permitted on the basis of designated weight, designated length,
designated height, or in excess in eight feet in width.
(6)
Any permit application review shall be subject to the requirements
of the State Environmental Quality Review Act and its implementing
regulations found at 6 NYCRR Part 617.
(7)
If the Town Board fails to rule on a permit within 60 days of its
submission to the Town Clerk, the application shall be deemed denied.
The Town Board and the applicant may mutually agree to extend the
foregoing time period.
D.
Any permit issued by the Town Board under this chapter may not be
assigned to any other party without the express written consent of
the Town, which consent may be withheld at the sole discretion of
the Town. The issuance of a permit under this chapter shall not confer
any drilling or exploration rights to any applicant beyond the scope
of a seismic survey.
E.
A copy of any permit shall be provided to the Town Constables and
the Building Department for use by the Code Enforcement Officers and
inspectors.
F.
Each applicant shall pay a nonrefundable application fee at the time
of making the permit application in an amount established from time
to time by resolution of the Town Board. Each applicant shall be subject
to the payment of the fees and expenses incurred by the Town for the
retention of experts and consultants who provide services in connection
with any review and advice rendered in connection with any application.
The payment of such fees and expenses shall be governed by the procedures
set forth in the Town Code.
G.
Each applicant shall supply the Town copies of all reports, data
and information gathered or assembled during any seismic survey conducted
pursuant to a permit issued hereunder. Said reports, data, and information
shall be submitted to the Town no later than 30 days after the completion
date, unless the permit shall specify a different time period. An
applicant may make written request that the Town withhold public dissemination
of any such report, data and information, provided that it can establish
that any such report, data or information would constitute an exception
from disclosure under New York Public Officers Law § 7(2)(d).
A.
Stop-work orders.
(1)
The Town Code Enforcement Officer, and any inspector designated by
the Town Board, may issue a stop-work order to any person who is in
violation of any provision of this chapter or any permit issued hereunder.
(2)
If a stop-work order issued pursuant to this section is not withdrawn or vacated by the issuer within five business days of its issuance, the person to whom the stop-work order was issued may file a written appeal to the Town Zoning Board of Appeals, unless the permit in question is subject to a modification or revocation as provided in Subsection B below. No work that is the subject of any stop-work order may continue until such time as the stop-work order is withdrawn or vacated by the issuer or the Town Zoning Board of Appeals.
B.
Modification or revocation of permit.
(1)
Any permit issued in accordance with this chapter may be modified
upon mutual written consent of the Town and the permit holder or modified
or revoked by the Town Board upon 10 days' advance written notice
to the permit holder. The modification or revocation of a permit can
occur upon a finding by the Town Board of a violation of this chapter
or any permit issued pursuant thereto. In addition, the Town Board
may modify or revoke a permit upon a finding by the Town Board that
the conduct of any work pursuant to any such permit causes unanticipated
damage to any Town highway, or the infrastructure thereunder, or traffic
delays, or if said work is conducted in a negligent or reckless manner
that exposes the Town, its citizens, or general public to potential
injury.
(2)
Except upon the mutual written consent of the Town and the permit holder, no permit shall be modified or revoked until such time as the permit holder has an opportunity for a public hearing before the Town Board. The hearing shall be scheduled on a date within 30 days of the date the notice was issued in Subsection B(1), above, or at some other date mutually convenient to the parties. The Town Board shall not be bound by the formal rules of evidence. At the conclusion of the hearing, the Town Board shall promptly issue a written decision and serve a copy of the same on the permit holder, who shall be bound thereby. Appeal of any adverse determination hereunder shall be governed by Article 78 of the New York Civil Practice Law and Rules (CPLR).
Persons who violate this chapter shall be guilty of a violation
and subject to a punishment by a fine of not less than $50 nor more
than $500 or by imprisonment of not more than 15 days, or by both
such fine or imprisonment or other penalties as may be available under
the Town Law or the Penal Law. Each separate violation shall constitute
a separate additional offense.