08-26
RESOLUTION NO. 08-26
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF CLEARWATER
CONCERNING THE EXPANSION OF OFF SHORE
OIL DRILLING IN THE GULF OF MEXICO IN
AREAS OTHER THAN THOSE ALREADY
APPROVED FOR OIL LEASING AND OIL
EXPLORATION; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
WHEREAS, the Congressional ban on off shore oil drilling, which has
been in effect since 1981, was put in place to reduce the chances of
environmental damage from oil spills and to protect the tourism industry; and
WHEREAS, the Congressional ban states that no funds may be expended
by the Department of the Interior for the conduct of offshore preleasing, leasing
and related activities placed under restriction in the President's moratorium
statement of June 12, 1998, in the areas of northern, central, and southern
California; the North Atlantic; Washington and Oregon; and the eastern Gulf of
Mexico south of 26 degrees N latitude and east of 86 degrees W longitude"; and
WHEREAS, the US Energy Department's forecasting arm has said
opening the Pacific, Atlantic and eastern Gulf of Mexico regions to drilling would
not have a significant impact on domestic crude oil prices before the year 2030;
and;
WHEREAS tourism accounts for one third of our budget revenues
statewide and 96% of those visitors cite the beaches as an influential factor in
their decision to visit Florida; and
WHEREAS tourist tax collection statewide exceeded $513,385,000.00 in
FY 2007 and more than 991,000 Floridians are employed in businesses that
directly or indirectly support tourism; and
WHEREAS, the area with the potential for the greatest risk of
environmental damage is the eastern part of the Gulf of Mexico, off the western
coast of Florida; and
WHEREAS, environmental specialists contend the major risk from drilling
platforms is the wastewater they routinely discharge which contain drilling fluids
and heavy metals including mercury; and
WHEREAS, According to Oil Industry data, an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico
can dump up to 90,000 tons of drilling fluid and metal cuttings over its lifetime.
These contaminants accumulate in the marine food web and could reasonably be
Resolution 08-26
expected to contaminate local beaches and have a negative effect on the
environment and the tourism industry; and
WHEREAS, the City recognizes the difference in the risk of impact from
drilling for oil as opposed to natural gas; and
WHEREAS, it is our belief that despite technological advances in oil rig
drilling technology, there is no positive assurance that catastrophic damage to
our coastline, beaches, plant and fish life could be avoided during normal
operating conditions or during storm situations; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CLEARWATER, FLORIDA;
Section 1. That before any expansion past the areas already approved for
leasing and oil production activities is considered, the existing leases must be
exercised and utilized where found to be productive.
Section 2. That the City of Clearwater believes that immediate steps to
encourage and assist in the development of alternative sources of energy should
also be implemented before any expansion of oil drilling rights in the Gulf of
Mexico is granted.
Section 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 4th day of September
,2008.
, ~~~J<'~
Frank V. Hibbard
Mayor
Approved as to form:
Attest:
1J~d
Pamela K. Akin
City Attorney
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