Cal. Code Regs. tit. 17 § 30350.3

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 24, June 14, 2024

Section 30350.3 - Notification of Incidents and Lost Sources; Abandonment Procedures for Irretrievable Sources

(a) The licensee shall immediately notify the Department by telephone and subsequently, within 30 days, by confirmation letter if the licensee knows or has reason to believe that a sealed source has been ruptured. The letter must designate the well or other location, describe the magnitude and extent of the escape of radioactive materials, assess the consequences of the rupture, and explain efforts planned or being taken to mitigate these consequences.

(b) If a sealed source becomes lodged in a well, and when it becomes apparent that efforts to recover the sealed source will not be successful, the licensee shall:

(1) Notify the Department by telephone of the circumstances that resulted in the inability to retrieve the source and:

(A) Obtain approval to implement abandonment procedures; or

(B) Report that abandonment was implemented before receiving Department approval because the licensee believed there was an immediate threat to public health and safety;

(2) Advise the well owner or operator, as appropriate, of the abandonment procedures under section 30346(a)(5); and

(3) Either ensure that abandonment procedures are implemented within 30 days after the sealed source has been classified as irretrievable or request an extension of time if unable to complete the abandonment procedures.

(c) The licensee shall, within 30 days after a sealed source has been classified as irretrievable, make a report in writing to the Department. The licensee shall send a copy of the report to each appropriate State or Federal agency that issued permits or otherwise approved of the drilling operation. The report shall contain the following information:

(1) Date of occurrence;

(2) A description of the irretrievable well logging source involved including the radionuclide and its quantity, chemical, and physical form;

(3) Surface location and identification of the well;

(4) Results of efforts to immobilize and seal the source in place;

(5) A brief description of the attempted recovery effort;

(6) Depth of the source;

(7) Depth of the top of the cement plug;

(8) Depth of the well;

(9) If the licensee implemented abandonment procedures prior to Department approval pursuant to subsection (b)(1)(B), the reasons why the licensee believed there was an immediate threat to public health and safety including any documents on which those reasons are based;

(10) Any other information, such as a warning statement, contained on the permanent identification plaque; and

(11) State and Federal agencies receiving a copy of this report.

Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 17, § 30350.3

1. New section filed 11-4-91; operative 12-4-91 (Register 92, No. 5).
2. Repealer of subsection (b) and subsection redesignation filed 3-3-94 as an emergency; operative 3-3-94 (Register 94, No. 9). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 7-1-94 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.
3. Certificate of Compliance as to 3-3-94 order transmitted to OAL 6-7-94 and filed 7-14-94 (Register 94, No. 28).
4. Amendment of subsection (b)(1), new subsections (b)(1)(A)-(B), amendment of subsection (b)(2), new subsection (b)(9), subsection renumbering and amendment of NOTE filed 3-1-2007; operative 3-31-2007 (Register 2007, No. 9).

Note: Authority cited: Sections 100275 and 115000, Health and Safety Code. Reference: Sections 114965, 114970, 115060, 115230 and 115235, Health and Safety Code.

1. New section filed 11-4-91; operative 12-4-91 (Register 92, No. 5).
2. Repealer of subsection (b) and subsection redesignation filed 3-3-94 as an emergency; operative 3-3-94 (Register 94, No. 9). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 7-1-94 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.
3. Certificate of Compliance as to 3-3-94 order transmitted to OAL 6-7-94 and filed 7-14-94 (Register 94, No. 28).
4. Amendment of subsection (b)(1), new subsections (b)(1)(A)-(B), amendment of subsection (b)(2), new subsection (b)(9), subsection renumbering and amendment of Note filed 3-1-2007; operative 3-31-2007 (Register 2007, No. 9).