To the extent that oil and gas extraction is otherwise permitted
by any and all other Independence Township ordinances and/or the Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Protection, the same may take place subject
to said ordinances, rules, regulations and/or requirements of the
aforesaid.
Oil and gas extraction includes extraction of any oil or gas
for sale or other commercial purpose which involves drilling or other
means to remove such substance from the earth. The term "oil and gas"
includes, but is not limited to, any crude oil, natural gas, methane
gas and coal bed methane gas.
Any person or entity desiring to engage in oil and gas extraction
shall pay a registration fee to Independence Township for each facility
in the amount of $150.
No oil or gas extraction device shall be installed, constructed
or used until a registration fee has been paid for each of said facilities
and a specific site location has been provided to the Township for
each of the same.
Any person or entity violating any provision of this chapter
shall be subject to criminal prosecution for a summary offense, and
therein, upon conviction, shall be subject to a fine of not less than
$500 plus court costs and any and all fees incurred by the Township
in prosecuting the same.
[Amended 5-16-2012; 5-21-2014]
The Township Supervisors, Code Enforcement Officer, and any
other persons as may be designated by the Township Board of Supervisors
is authorized to enforce this chapter.