HomeMy WebLinkAbout8360 - Drill New Oil Wells Off the Coast•
RESOLUTION NO. 8360
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF NEWPORT BEACH OPPOSING THE PROPOSAL OF THE
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR TO DRILL
NEW OIL WELLS OFF THE COAST OF SOUTHERN
CALIFORNIA
WHEREAS, the United States Department of Interior has
recently announced a proposal to lease vast areas along the
Continental Shelf of Southern California for oil and gas explora-
tion and development; and
WHEREAS, said areas are adjacent to State-owned tide
and submerged lands over which an off -shore oil drilling sanctuary
has been established by the Shell- Cunningham Act; and
WHEREAS, oil drilling off the Southern California Coast
could have a devastating effect on the coastal environment; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Interior's decision to proceed
with off -shore oil development without benefit of local public
input is contrary to the Federal Administration's stated position
that states and local communities should be primarily responsible
for zoning and land use planning; and
WHEREAS, the California Coastal Zone Conservation Act
provides for the preparation and adoption of long -range plans for
the orderly development and preservation of the California coastline,
which plans could be seriously jeopardized by off -shore oil develop-
ment at this time; and
WHEREAS, it would be foolish to rush head -long into
massive Continental Shelf oil exploration and development without
careful planning, consideration of the environmental risks, and a
comparison of this resource with competing energy sources; and
WHEREAS, many serious questions remain unanswered and
must be resolved before development plans are pursued;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of
the City of Newport Beach strongly opposes the announced plans
of the United States Department of Interior to offer leases along
the Continental Shelf of Southern California for oil and gas
exploration and development;
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Department of Interior
be urged to hold regional public hearings throughout the State to
determine the public attitude with respect to the proposed drilling
and that the Department of Interior respond to the numerous
unanswered questions and environmental concerns inherent in the
proposal;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Department of Interior
should submit its proposed oil development program to the
California Coastal Zone Conservation Commission and any and all
other appropriate state, regional and local agencies for their
review and approval prior to the issuance of any leases.
ADOPTED this 30th day of September 1974
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)Mayor Pro Tempore
ATTEST:
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City Clerk
CE IED AS TH ORI AL
CITY CLERK OF THE CITY OF NEWPC . BEACH
OUT 2 9974
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