Description: The Kern County Zoning Ordinance contains provisions for local permitting of oil and gas production. Specifically, Chapter 19.98 (Oil and Gas Production) provides development standards for all future oil and gas exploration, extraction, operations, and production activities in the unincorporated Kern County. The Amendment to the Kern County Zoning Ordinance related to Chapter 19.98 and other oil and gas provisions in the Zoning Ordinance was approved on November 9, 2015, and became effective on December 9, 2015.The Project Area encompasses 3,700 square miles, which generally includes most of the San Joaquin Valley Floor portion of Kern County and additional areas in the southern portion of the Project Area. The boundary includes: west side - the San Luis Obispo, Monterey, and Santa Barbara county lines; north side - the Kings and Tulare county lines; east side - the 2,000-foot elevation contours, squared off to the nearest section line; and south side - the northern boundary of the Los Padres National Forest and portions of the San Emigdo and Tehachapi Mountains. The Project Area boundary is based on information regarding areas with potential or confirmed oil and gas resources within the County’s jurisdiction.