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:
APPLICANT
Any person who makes an application for a permit authorized
by this chapter.
COMPLETION DATE
The date that the permit holder notifies the Town that the
seismic survey has been completed.
GEOPHONE
A recording device used in the collection of sound waves
for a seismic survey.
MULCHING EQUIPMENT
Any equipment used in the clearing of brush and smaller trees
and typically used in the creation of seismic lines.
PERMIT HOLDER
A person to whom a permit has been issued pursuant to the
requirements of this chapter.
SEISMIC LINE
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."
SEISMIC SURVEY
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.
THUMPER TRUCK
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.
TOWN HIGHWAY
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.
VIBROSEIS TRUCK
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.
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.