HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Res 2356 1974-09-09
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RESOLUTION NO. ~;li~
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SEAL BEACH OPPOSING THE PROCEDURES OF THE
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
LEADING TO THE LEASING OF TRACTS FOR OIL AND
GAS DEVELOPMENT OFF THE COAST OF SOUTHERN
CALIFORNIA.
'WHEREAS, the United States Department of the Interior has announced a proposal
to'lease areas on the Outer Continental Shelf in Southern California adjacent
to state tidelands for oil and gas development; and
WHEREAS, the State of California has limited oil drilling from most of the
offshore and beach areas adjacent to lands now being considered by the
Department of the Interior for development in the federal waters beyond the
state's three mile tidelands boundary; and
WHEREAS. the 1972 California Coastal Zone Conservation Act provides for the
preparation of long-range plans for the orderly conservation and development
of the California coastline, and any move by the Department of the Interior
to increase oil development along the coast before the state long-range plans
are adopted could seriously compromise state. regional and local planning
efforts; and
WHEREAS. the federal Administration's stated position that states and local
communities should be primarily responsible for land use planning is inconsistent
with the Department of the Interior's proposal to proceed without a long-range
coastal zone plan and a coordinated planning effort; and
WHEREAS, oil development off the coast of Southern California could have a
devastating effect on the coastal environment. especially the beaches and
harbors. as the Santa Barbara oil blowout demonstrated five years ago; and
WHEREAS. oil is a finite, irreplaceable resource, and as such this diminishing
resource should be reserved to the maximum degree possible for future use
pending completion of a national energy policy which could include development
of alternate sources of energy and comprehensive conservation programs which
will relieve pressure on scarce oil supplies; and
WHEREAS, the projected time-frame of the Department of the Interior for awarding
leases is inadequate to prepare. evaluate, and coordinate the studies necessary
for an informed decision; and
WHEREAS. additional serious questions remain unanswered and must be addressed
before leases are awarded;
NOW. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Seal Beach
that the announced: plans to lease federal lands to provide new oil drilling
in the Outer Continental Shelf off the coast of Southern California be strongly
opposed at this time.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED as follows:
1. Award of leases for offshore oil and gas development in Southetn California
should not proceed until a comprehensive national. as well as regional.
energy policy has been promulgated.
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Resolution No. .:25& - 2
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2. The Department of the Interior should timely submit its proposed oil
development program to the California Coastal Zone Conservation Commission
and other appropriate state, regional and local agencies for their review
before any new leases are issued.
3. No leases shall be awarded until Congress has enacted new legislation
strengthening existing laws relating to drilling and development on the
Outer Continental Shelf. ,tL
PASSED. APPROVED AND ADOPTED this ~ day of ~~~ .h~V ,1974,
by the following vot~: ?7J1' '"
AYES, C""fJ'" """, ~@*U; ~Jf'.u )
NOES: Councilmen_______________
ABSENT: Councilmen ~ II ~
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Mayor
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