Council approves permit extension for TGS seismic testing on Roosevelt Phase 1C

The Ballard City Council on June 16 approved a permit extension allowing TGS to extend its Roosevelt Phase One seismic testing project by roughly two miles into a previously permitted area.

Royce Hammer, representing TGS, asked the council for the permit extension and said the company would “use the same equipment, fiber size, source/receivers, and operating parameters used in the earlier phase” and expects the work to occur in November or December, depending on permitting and progress. Mayor Nile Mathisen told Hammer the project will incur a $250 encroachment fee.

Council Member Shaun Murray moved to approve permitting for the “TGS Seismic Testing Project Roosevelt Phase 1C 3D”; Council Member Alfred Kettle seconded the motion. All four council members present voted in favor; Council Member Ben Allred was excused.

The council’s approval covers the expansion of the project footprint and, according to the company’s request, continuity of the equipment and operating practices from the earlier phase. The company agreed to provide insurance documentation and maps as needed.

Next steps noted in the meeting record include submittal of required insurance and maps to city staff and scheduling the field work contingent on permitting and project progress later in the year.