2018-015 Banning New Offshore Oil Drilling RESOLUTION 2018-15
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ENCINITAS CALLING ON THE FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION TO
PROTECT OUR COAST BY BANNING NEW OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS
DRILLING, FRACKING AND OTHER WELL STIMULATION IN
FEDERAL AND STATE WATERS OFF THE
CALIFORNIA COAST
WHEREAS, the City of Encinitas values ocean waters and coastline, which provide
habitat to an array of wildlife including marine mammals, birds and fish;
WHEREAS, the City of Encinitas coastline is part of the nations' first scientifically
based network of marine protected areas along the California coastline,which was created to help ensure
that the natural resources, marine ecosystem functions, and marine natural heritage of the State are
protected for current and future generations;
WHEREAS, California residents and visitors enjoy the State's ocean and coast for
recreation, exploration, relaxation, tourism;
WHEREAS, Encinitas residents and approximately six million annual visitors enjoy
our ocean, beaches, and resources, for recreation, exploration, and relaxation;
WHEREAS, coastal dependent tourism is a part of the local economy in the communities
of the Southern California coast, as well as other coastal areas in California and could be impacted by
lifting of the drilling moratorium;
WHEREAS, oil and gas drilling off the Pacific Coast could put these coastal resources at risk of
oil spills and other damage;
WHEREAS, prior oil spills have caused environmental and economic damage at various
locations along the west coast;
WHEREAS, as recently as May 2015, California experienced an oil spill during which a pipeline
ruptured near Refugio State Beach in Santa Barbara County. The spill released crude oil into the Pacific
Ocean;
WHEREAS,there has been no new offshore oil and gas leases in California since the 1969
blowout of a well in Federal waters, offshore Santa Barbara County, that spilled large amounts of crude
oil into the ocean and onto the beaches;
WHEREAS, beginning in 1921,the California State Legislature enacted Taws that withdrew
certain offshore areas from oil and gas leasing, and by 1989 the State's offshore oil and gas leasing
moratorium was in place;
WHEREAS, Section 18 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act(43 U.S. Code [U.S.C.] 1331 et
seq.)requires that preparation of a nationwide offshore oil and gas leasing program that sets a five-year
schedule of lease sales implemented by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management within the U.S.
Department of the Interior;
WHEREAS, consistent with the principles of Section 18 and the resulting, regionally-tailored
leasing strategy, the current exclusion of the Pacific Outer Continental Shelf from new oil and gas
development is consistent with the long-standing interest of Pacific Coast States, as framed in the 2006
Agreement on Ocean Health adopted by the governors of California, Washington, and Oregon;
WHEREAS, Federal legislation has been introduced (H.R. 2242 Keep it in the ground act 15
2017), which provides long-term protection from future offshore oil drilling in specified California
waters;
WHEREAS,the new federal administration is proposing offshore drilling to the fossil fuel
industry, opening the door to more offshore leasing, drilling and tracking that could increase the
probability of oil spills. This action also promotes a stronger dependence on fossil fuels, which goes
against actions taken by the City and the State of California to promote a greener, more sustainable
lifestyle through the utilization of alternative energy sources that promote cleaner air and protect natural
resources; and
WHEREAS, the City Council joins Laguna Beach, Santa Barbara, and other California Cities in
calling on the federal administration to protect our coast by banning new offshore oil and gas drilling,
tracking and other well stimulation in Federal and State waters off the California Coast.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Encinitas supports a ban on new
drilling,fracking, and related techniques, in State and Federal waters, in the Pacific Ocean.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 24th day of January, 2018, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Blakespear, Boerner Horvath, Kranz, Mosca, Muir
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Catherine S. Blakespear, Mayor
ATTEST:
�y H Ilywo , City Clerk