HomeMy WebLinkAbout6929 - Geological Sampling OperationsRESOLUTION NO. 6929
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
NEWPORT BEACH REQUESTING THE STATE LANDS COMMISSION
OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING
FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSIDERING REVOCATION OF ALL
PERMITS PREVIOUSLY GRANTED BY THE COMMISSION WHICH
AUTHORIZE GEOLOGICAL SAMPLING OPERATIONS, INCLUDING
DRILLING OPERATIONS, UNDER THE TIDE AND SUBMERGED
LANDS, AND FURTHER REQUESTING THAT THE COMMISSION
TARE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO SUSPEND SAID PERMITS AND
TO ORDER A HALT IN ALL EXPLORATORY OPERATIONS
PENDING SAID PUBLIC HEARING
WHEREAS, it has come to the attention of this City Council
that the State Lands Commission has granted a number of permits to
various oil companies which authorize geological sampling operations,
including core drilling, on the tide and submerged lands along the
California coast, including the Orange County coast; and
WHEREAS, said permits were granted without notice to the
public and without the prior knowledge of the City of Newport
Beach; and
WHEREAS, the Shell Oil Company, pursuant to authorization
from the Executive Officer of the State Lands Commission, intends
to conduct an exploratory drilling operation at a location offshore
from the entrance to Newport Harbor; and
WHEREAS, had this City Council been aware that the State
Lands Commission was going to consider approval of any such permits
which would authorize offshore exploratory drilling along the Orange
County coast, it would have strongly opposed such action; and
WHEREAS, the geological structure of the tide and
submerged lands offshore from the City of Newport Beach in which
the Shell Oil Company intends to drill an exploratory well poses a
high risk of a blow -out which could result in a disastrous pollution
problem such as occurred off the Santa Barbara coast; and
WHEREAS, the Shell- Cunningham Act establishes a sanctuary
extending from the Santa Ana River southerly to the Mexican border,
in which drilling for oil on offshore tide and submerged lands is
i
prohibited; and
WHEREAS, it appears to this City Council that the
approval of exploratory drilling operations within the sanctuary
area established by the Shell- Cunningham Act is a prelude to
efforts by the oil industry to remove the protection provided by
the Shell- Cunningham Act; and
WHEREAS, this City Council is convinced that the con-
tinuance of the ban against oil development within the established
sanctuary extending from the Santa Ana River southerly to the
Mexican border is essential to the preservation of the scenic,
recreational and economic values of the coastal area within the
sanctuary;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of
the City of Newport Beach as follows:
1. That the State Lands Commission is requested to
hold a public hearing at which all interested parties may be
heard to consider the revocation of all permits authorizing
geological sampling operations, including drilling operations,
along the California coast, and that prior written notice be given
to the County of Orange and all coastal cities of Orange County
of the time and place of said hearing.
2. That the Commission is requested to order suspension
of said permits and to direct that all geological sampling
operations, including drilling operations, be held in abeyance
pending a final determination to be made at said public hearing.
ADOPTED this 18th day of February , 1969.
Saw 0 M`�
ATTEST: Mayor
C
Ulty Clerk
CERTIFIED �AS TTHH!RIGINA6
CITY CLERIC OF THE CITY O EWPOO BRACH
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2/19/69