Memoranda of Understanding -
Memoranda of Agreement

The Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources (Division) has the following Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) and Memoranda of Agreement (MOA) with:

1. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) - The purpose of this MOU is to delineate procedures for regulating oilfield operations where both the BLM and the Division have jurisdictional authority, to streamline operations, and minimize duplication.
2. Minerals Management Service, Pacific Outer Continental Shelf Region, U.S. Department of the Interior; Western Region, Office of Pipeline Safety, Research and Special Program Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation; The California State Lands Commission; The California State Fire Marshal -  The purpose of this MOA is to implement the Offshore California Pipeline Inspection Survey (OCPIS) Plan process and procedures. The OCPIS Plan will provide a coordinated analytical framework for assessing the present condition and inspection needs of offshore pipelines.
3. California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) - The purpose of this MOA clarifies the regulatory responsibilities under which the Division and the CPUC will manage the gas-storage pipelines that fall under joint jurisdiction.
4. Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, State Fire Marshal's Office of Pipeline Safety (SFM) - This MOA clarifies the jurisdictional boundary between the Division and the SFM, and eliminates any potential gaps in jurisdiction between the two agencies.
5. Department of Fish and Game (DFG) - The purpose of this MOA is to establish procedures by which the DFG and the Division will participate in Coastal Sage Scrub Natural Community Conservation Planning.
6. Department of Fish and Game, State Water and Resources Control Board -  The purpose of this MOA is to outline the procedures for modifying notification requirements for onshore drilling and production oil spills.
7. Joint Coordination Committee - The purpose of this MOU is to establish a Joint Coordination Committee for Natural Resources Damage Assessment, California Environmental Quality Act and other studies related to the assessment of environmental impacts of Guadalupe Oil Field diluent releases.
8. Department of Fish and Game (DFG), Office of Oil Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR) -The purpose of this MOA is to establish procedures between the DFG, OSPR and the Division whereby, the Division will participate in monthly marine aircraft patrol flights to monitor offshore oil and gas operations and provide reports of such activities to OSPR.
9. Office of Oil Spill Prevention and Response, State Lands Commission, California Coastal Commission, State Water Resources Control Board - The purpose of this MOA is to establish the Review Subcommittee, which is responsible for reviewing regulations, guidelines, and amendments to the state oil spill contingency plan.
10. Santa Barbara County - The purpose of this MOU is to establish procedures between the Division and Santa Barbara County for delineating administrative field boundaries for new oil and gas fields and altering the
    administrative field boundaries of existing oil and gas fields within Santa Barbara County.
11. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) for Geothermal Wells - The purpose of this MOA is to establish the responsibilities of and procedures to be used by the USEPA and the Division in the administration of the Underground Injection Control program for geothermal energy Class V injection wells.
12. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Department of Fish and Game, California Energy Commission, County of Kern - The purpose of this MOU is to define relationships among agencies with permit or regulatory authority over Species of Concern and to develop a cooperative program called the Kern County Endangered Species Program, which will ensure that the activities of private parties will comply with applicable laws and regulations concerning the Species of Concern in Kern County, and which will provide long-term protection of such species.
13. California State Water Resources Control Board - The purpose of this MOA is to outline the procedures for reporting proposed oil, gas, and geothermal field discharges and for prescribing permit requirements.
14. South Coast Air Quality Management District - The purpose of this MOU is to outline the areas of responsibility between the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) and the Division for the inspection of oilfield valves and flanges that fall under the provisions of SCAQMD Rule 466.1.
15. Minerals Management Service (MMS) - The purpose of this MOU is to establish that MMS and the Division will notify each other and exchange information as soon as offshore, non-routine well-control problems occur in waters adjacent to California that are under the jurisdiction of each respective agency.
16. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) for Oil and Gas Wells - This MOA establishes the responsibilities of and the procedures to be used by the USEPA and the Division in the administration of wells in the Class II portion of the Underground Injection Control program in California.
17. U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) - This MOU establishes that the USGS has the responsibility to permit and inspect all exploration, development, production, and utilization operations where the lessee or his operator is conducting the activity to recover Federal geothermal resources.

Please note: MOU/MOA are in pdf format and require Adobe Acrobat Reader to view/download. Free software may be downloaded by clicking on the Adobe Reader icon below: