HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Res 4440 1996-02-12
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RESOLUTION NO. 4';t'~
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SEAL BEACH, CALIFORNIA,
SUPPORTING RENEWAL OF THE OFF-SHORE
OIL DRILLING MORATORIUM AND FEDERAL
LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE LONG TERM
PROTECTION FROM OFF-SHORE OIL DRILLING
Whereas, the u.s. House of Representatives' Subcommittee on Depanment of Interior
Appropriations will consider lifting the current nationwide ban on off-shore oil drilling along
environmentally sensitive areas of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS); and
Whereas, federal legislation has been introduced (HR 2241 and HR 2242), which
provides long term protection from future off-shore oil drilling in sensitive California waters;
and
Whereas, technology does not exist to fully prevent, clean up, or contain oil spills for
the types of ocean and wind conditions that are present throughout the year in the affected
offshore waters adjacent to the City of Seal Beach coastline; and
Whereas, coastal dependent tourism is a mainstay of the local communities of the
southern California coast, as well as other coastal areas in California and elsewhere that would
be impacted by a lifting of the drilling moratorium; and
Whereas, critical commercial fisheries would be impacted by the oil drilling activities
that would be permitted by the removal of the moratorium, and severe fishing conflicts could
be expected to occur; and
Whereas, estuaries and river mouths which serve as critical nursery and food source
habitats (the Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge in a local context) for commercial fish species
and endangered wildlife species would be in direct proximity to oil drilling activities permitted
by a lifting of the OCS drilling moratorium, and would therefore be subject to significant
adverse impacts in the event of a spill; and
Whereas, continuation of the existing moratoria or a permanent ban will not
significantly reduce the country's energy production, as the federal DCS reserves in California
are estimated to be approximately 3/10ths of I % of the nations oil reserves, while reserves for
onshore production in California is estimated at approximately 14.6% of the nations oil reserves;
and
Whereas, the City of Seal Beach has traditionally taken an active role in opposition to
off-shore drilling proposals that could impact the City of Seal Beach coastline.
Now, Therefore, be it Resolved, that the City of Seal Beach urges the U.S. House
of Representatives to support HR 2241 and HR 2242.
Now, Therefore, be it Further Resolved, that the City of Seal Beach urges the
U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Department of Interior Appropriations to
include renewal of the moratoria on Outer Continental Shelf oil drilling activities in
environmentally sensitive coastal areas in this year's House Interior Appropriations Bill.
Resolution Number ~~41t'
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Seal
~ a meeting thereof held on the /d? tJ day of
A~41' ,1996, by the following vote: '
AYES: Councilmember a
NOES: Councilmember, I
ABSENT: Councilmemb
ATIEST:
C
STATE OF CAUFORNIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) SS
CITY OF SEAL BEACH )
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I, 10anne M. Yea, City Clerk of Seal Beach, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing
resolution is the original copy of Resolution Number-#,t1 on file in the office of the City
Clerk, passed, approved, and adop~the City Council of the 1 f Seal Beach, at a regular
mee on thereof held on the _ day of 1996.
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