Revised Oil Well Ordinance (ROWO)

The Revised Oil Well Ordinance (ROWO) is a regulatory initiative led by the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning to phase out oil and gas production in unincorporated Los Angeles County. The project implements a countywide prohibition on new oil wells and production facilities, designating existing operations as nonconforming uses that must be decommissioned within a 20-year amortization period. This effort involves comprehensive amendments to the Los Angeles County Code, specifically Titles 12 and 22, the Baldwin Hills Community Standards District, and the County General Plan to align with sustainability and environmental justice goals. Key operational requirements include the mandatory plugging and abandonment of wells, removal of all infrastructure, and full site restoration to natural or compatible conditions. In the Baldwin Hills area, additional stringent standards are enforced, including 150-foot surface casing plugs, continuous air and noise monitoring, and the funding of an independent Environmental Compliance Coordinator. Operators are required to maintain indemnity bonds of at least 152,000 dollars per well and adhere to strict site maintenance and signage standards. The project's environmental impact is managed under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), with a Draft Environmental Impact Report identifying significant but unavoidable impacts on mineral resources.