WARREN - Standards are in place to protect roads, culverts and bridges in Trumbull County from harm caused by gas and oil well drilling-related activity.
They will work like this: Companies willing to address infrastructure improvements upfront and have a signed road use maintenance agreement in place will have a $100,000 bond or letter of credit. For those who don't, the amount will jump to at least $350,000.
Every company will be required to carry $2 million in liability insurance.
''We believe we reached a balance between providing adequate protection for our infrastructure versus not being a hindrance to the drilling industry,'' said county Engineer Randy Smith.
The bond amounts are attached to permits needed to haul loads weighing more than allowed by Ohio law, like drilling rigs.
For companies who opt not to proactively address improvements, bond amounts will be increased if it's determined that a bridge or culvert is at risk of being damaged by the heavy loads, said Don Barzak, Engineer's Office director of governmental affairs and grants and special projects coordinator.
''It depends on the size, it depends on the structure type,'' Barzak said.
Commissioners Thursday formalized the requirements.
The county already has one road use maintenance agreement in place with Pennsylvania-based Consol/CNX Energy, which has indicated drilling will begin in June in Vienna on property on Warner Road.
CNX has a bond of $100,000 because the company is willing to prepare portions of roads before drilling. The company also will post signs designating the route for trucks.
Also Thursday, commissioners gave permission to re-route the sanitary sewer that serves the Eastwood Mall to accommodate the building of a Residence Inn by Marriott and conference / banquet center, a project announced Wednesday.
Rex Fee, executive director of the Sanitary Engineer's Office, said the lines need to be moved because the hotel is planned to be built above existing lines.