California Code, Public Resources Code - PRC § 6854

Lands, including the Tule Elk State Reserve located in Township 30 South, Range 24 East, MDB&M in Kern County, other than tide or submerged lands, belonging to the state and dedicated to a public use may be leased by the commission for the production of oil and gas in accordance with this article and this chapter insofar as not in conflict with this article.

Where those lands have been acquired for the use of a specific state agency, consent of this agency shall be obtained by the commission for occupation by a state lessee of the surface of the lands for drilling locations or producing facilities. The commission may lease those lands, including the Tule Elk State Reserve in Kern County, for the production of oil and gas without the consent of the state agency if development under the lease is made by slant drilling from surface locations on lands not under the control of the state agency.However, the commission shall consult with the Department of Parks and Recreation prior to approving a lease for the production of oil and gas underlying the Tule Elk State Reserve to ensure that the purposes for which the parklands were acquired are not adversely affected.

The commission may grant a subsurface oil and gas lease in accordance with subdivision (b) of Section 6815 covering all or any portion of the Tule Elk State Reserve in Kern County for the production of oil and gas underlying the reserve by means of slant or directional drilling from surface locations outside of the reserve.