Council approves Chevron license to access Tar Pits Beach for pipeline removal; company to use exclusion zones only while working
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Summary
The council authorized a limited, revocable license allowing Chevron staged access to defined areas of Tar Pits Beach and adjacent tidelands to remove buried pipeline segments. Work is estimated at about 15 total workdays and will require public notices, permits, insurance, and delineated temporary exclusion zones.
The Carpinteria City Council on Jan. 12 authorized a limited, revocable license agreement allowing Chevron USA Inc. to access defined portions of Tar Pits Beach and adjacent tidelands to remove onshore pipeline segments and stage equipment.
City staff described the license as time‑limited and revocable, with a 90‑day termination notice to Chevron. The agreement requires Chevron to comply with applicable permits cited in the staff report (coastal development permit referenced as 21‑2128‑DPS/CDP, regional board 401 certification and U.S. Army Corps 404 permit), maintain insurance naming the city as additional insured, indemnify the city, and disseminate work notices to nearby properties.
Chevron representatives said exclusion zones will be established only during active work periods and will be marked with rope, tape and signage; the rest of Tar Pits Park will remain open to the public. Chevron estimated about 15 workdays in total to complete the beach‑side removal, with the actual schedule dependent on tides and permits.
“The only time that we envision excluding people from those areas would be if we were actively working in them,” a Chevron spokesperson said during Q&A. The agreement passed on a roll‑call vote with all council members present voting in favor.
