Town of Flower Mound, Texas - Environmental Resources

2121 Cross Timbers Road
Flower Mound, Texas 75028
972.874.6000

For service requests or questions, email
townhall@flower-mound.com
or call 972.539.SERV. After hours, please call 972.539.0525.

Environmental Resources

Oil and Natural Gas Well Drilling

Town of Flower Mound Oil and Natural Gas Drilling News

Flower Mound Responds to Methane Report

An article was published on March 3 in the Denton Record Chronicle that reported measured amounts of methane at locations within the Barnett Shale, including a site in Flower Mound. The article reported that an atmospheric researcher and an environmental researcher conducted sampling activities in Flower Mound and isolated the boundaries of a “methane plume” that measured 40 parts per million (PPM). By comparison, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommends a maximum exposure of 1,000 PPM for an eight-hour period in an enclosed location, and notes the explosive limits are 50,000 to 150,000 PPM, and the asphyxiation limit is 500,000 PPM.

The 1.8 PPM “normal background level” of methane referenced in the article is not an established limit included in any of the previous studies conducted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). As the Town of Flower Mound was neither involved with nor contacted about these tests, officials are not aware of the precise locations sampled or investigated other than the Scenic Road and FM 1171 area referenced in the article. The primary component of natural gas, Methane is a non-toxic compound emitted from natural and manmade sources including wastewater treatment plants, livestock operations, mobile combustion, landfills, and natural gas and fossil fuel production operations. Methane can displace oxygen, resulting in an oxygen-deficient environment in confined areas, but because it is lighter than air, Methane tends to rise in open environments.

Flower Mound officials contacted the regional TCEQ office to determine if there are set standards or applicable health limits established for methane and to confirm that TCEQ registered the concern for an investigation. The TCEQ representative indicated that there is not a federal or state limit for methane at this time, and the 1.8 PPM level referenced in the article has been determined to be within the reasonable range for a background level of Methane. Relative to the environmental impact, the effect of Methane is typically measured by its effect on greenhouse gas emissions.

TCEQ investigators were in Flower Mound on March 4 at two sites and noted no immediate concerns; however, a canister sample was taken in response to the story that appeared in the Denton Record Chronicle. The agency also fielded several calls regarding the story, but indicated the complainants stated that they were not smelling any gas or noticing any problems. The Town of Flower Mound is currently exploring several air quality monitoring options including regular odor checks, the purchase of a toxic vapor analyzer, the purchase of an infrared gas-imaging camera, the installation of a permanent air monitoring station, and the reporting of any irregularities to the TCEQ and the appropriate gas drilling company.

TCEQ Releases Air Sampling Reports

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality released Laboratory Analysis Results from two air sampling studies conducted in Flower Mound on January 21, 2010. TCEQ will provide an executive summary once complete, and this information will be released as soon as received by the Town. View the 100129 Study and the 100127 Study to review the analysis and screening information.

Oil and Natural Gas Well Drilling FAQ

The Town of Flower Mound has compiled a list of frequently asked questions related to oil and natural gas drilling. Topics include current regulations, environmental testing, and updated status reports. View the FAQ for more information or download a PDF of the FAQ.

TX Dept. of State Health Services Provides Clarification on Study

The Texas Department of State Health Services recently contacted the Town and provided information clarifying the justification, process, and timeline of the pending Texas Cancer Registry study. The document also defines several of the terms associated with such research and provides contact information for those wishing to obtain more information. View the entire summary.

Town Receives Initial Air Quality Results Indicating No Detectable VOC Concentrations

The Town recently received a summary of the air quality monitoring activity conducted in Flower Mound on January 13 by Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) officials. The summary details the locations and times in which monitoring occurred, the types of tests and readings, weather conditions, and equipment utilized.While additional TCEQ air quality testing is scheduled to occur in the near future, the preliminary analysis produced results indicating no detectable concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOC - benzene, toluene, methane, etc.) at the two test locations in Flower Mound. Additionally, infrared cameras did not detect emissions from the compressor engines and heater units other than those associated with normal operations.

Please visit the Air Quality page to read the complete summary.

TCEQ Conducts Air Sampling at Request of Town

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) conducted air sampling tests on January 13 at various gas well locations within Flower Mound. The Town contacted TCEQ and requested the tests in December. The site visits and sampling consisted of TCEQ representatives taking weather data and wind speed, using an infrared monitor to check for emissions, checking for total volatile organic compounds at the site, and placing air canisters downwind to collect samples that will be analyzed for specific compounds. The Town will continue to work with TCEQ in relation to air quality, and will provide a final report once all testing and analysis are complete. The TCEQ has indicated that a report will be available by February.

Presentations and Maps from the Nov. 2 Public Hearing

Presentations

Maps

Presentations from Oct. 15 Town Council Work Session

Seismic Testing and Produced Wastewater Gathering System

The Town of Flower Mound has received a number of inquiries recently regarding seismic testing and a produced wastewater gathering and storage system. To ensure accurate distribution of information regarding these issues, the Town has prepared a fact sheet that addresses the most commonly questions received.

Download the Fact Sheet

During the October 5, 2009, Town Council meeting, a presentation was made to Council by staff regarding seismic testing and a produced wastewater gathering and storage system. The Council publicly discussed the issue and provided direction to staff. The Town would like to make the PowerPoint presentation available to residents and interested parties.

Download the Presentation

Restricted Gas Well Drilling Areas

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Flower Mound Oil and Gas Well Drilling History

Flower Mound’s first Oil and Gas Well Drilling ordinance was adopted in May 2003. The ordinance included provisions addressing safety, noise levels, setbacks, and environmental impacts. A gas well ordinance must take into account the rights of all property owners, including mineral owners and land owners, relative to establishing surface setbacks and providing balanced regulations for responsible gas well drilling. Considered one of the most stringent in North Texas, the ordinance was used by several cities as a template in the creation of other municipal Oil and Gas Well Drilling ordinances.

The Oil and Gas Well Ordinance timeline provides a chronological overview of the ordinance adoption process and history.

Current Ordinance

A stakeholder group was appointed in May 2005 to review the ordinance and recommend revisions. The group held several public meetings and made a proposal to the Town Council in May 2007. In order to expand the community input process, the Town hosted several additional public forums after receipt of the stakeholder group recommendation. The Town Council accepted public feedback through a dedicated email account and held two work sessions, two public comment meetings, and a public hearing prior to adopting Flower Mound's current ordinance in March 2007.

The Flower Mound Oil and Gas Well Ordinance Amendments Summary describes many of the more prominent revisions that were included in the current ordinance.

The Flower Mound Oil and Gas Drilling Ordinance Comparison Chart contrasts the Town’s initial ordinance and the current ordinance in relation to a variety of setback, mitigation, and environmental factors.

Typical Completion Method for Groundwater Protection

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Current Drilling Environment

The Gas Well Status Report provides a timely overview of the current drilling environment in Flower Mound including case numbers and names, project descriptions, and meeting dates. The Restricted Gas Well Drilling Areas map illustrates setback requirements in various locations throughout Flower Mound.

Oil and Gas Well General Information

The Oil and Gas Well Fact Sheet and Frequently Asked Questions document provide basic information regarding oil and gas well drilling.

Oil and Gas Board of Appeals

The Oil and Gas Board of Appeals has the authority to hear and determine appeals where it is alleged there is error or abuse of discretion regarding the issuance of an oil, gas, or combined well permit or the revocation or suspension of any permit issued. Any person or entity whose application is denied by the oil and gas inspector, whose permit is suspended or revoked, or whose well or equipment is deemed by the oil and gas inspector to be abandoned may file an appeal to the Oil and Gas Board of Appeals. The Oil and Gas Board of Appeals shall review the appeal and any other related information. The Oil and Gas Board of Appeals is a quasi-judicial board and not a legislative body with the authority to amend ordinances or create new laws. The only appeal to a decision rendered by the Oil and Gas Board of Appeals is to a legal court of record. The appeal must be filed with the Court within ten days of the board’s decision. State law prohibits the Town Council from hearing an appeal. Visit Flower Mound’s Boards and Commissions page for Oil and Gas Board of Appeals meeting times, member lists, and contact information. Visit the Agendas and Minutes page for current meeting information.

Ordinances and Reports

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