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HomeMy WebLinkAbout6928 - Oil Drilling OffshoreMW -Jr� RESOLUTION NO. 6928 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH EXPRESSING THE COUNCIL'S OPPOSITION TO OIL DRILLING OFFSHORE FROM THE ORANGE COUNTY COAST WHEREAS, oil drilling operations on the federal lease area off the Santa Barbara coast have caused a disastrous pollution problem which is threatening to spread to the beaches and harbors of Orange County; and WHEREAS, it appears to this City Council that the regulations applicable to oil operations on federal oil lease areas are inadequate and that the higher standards enforced by the State of California which are applicable to oil operations on state offshore oil leases are more likely to be effective in preventing pollution; and WHEREAS, the Shell- Cunningham Act establishes an oil sanctuary area three miles in width which extends from the Santa Ana River southerly to the Mexican border, and includes all of the coastline within the City; and WHEREAS, the protection against oil drilling afforded by the Shell- Cunningham Act does not extend to the water areas under federal control beyond the three -mile limit; and WHEREAS, the Council is firmly opposed to any off- shore oil drilling operations along the Orange County coast southerly of the Santa Ana River because such operations would destroy its scenic beauty, endanger marine life, and impair its enjoyment as a recreational area; and WHEREAS, the Council considers it essential that the protection against oil drilling afforded by the Shell- Cunningham Act be extended to prohibit oil drilling operations on the • federally controlled water beyond the three -mile limit; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the -1- City of Newport Beach that: 1. It is the policy of this Council to oppose any offshore oil drilling operations along the Orange County coast at any location southerly of the Santa Ana River on both state and federal property; 2. The Council urges that immediate steps be taken by the state and federal governments to establish legal restrictions against all offshore oil drilling activities in the area from the Santa Ana River southerly to the Mexican border; 3. The Council requests that appropriate action be taken immediately to raise the regulatory standards applicable to federal offshore oil lease areas to a level equivalent to the standards required by the State of California, and to authorize state inspection for compliance. ATTEST: ADOPTED this 10th day of February, 1969. i , i /i CERT IED AS TWORI CITY CLERK OF THE CITY OF NE T BEACH DATES _ ....�:.�G�'.4ccs;t: ....L l _..19. 9" TITS :mh -2- 2/11/69