18-06RESOLUTION NO. 18-06
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF CLEARWATER, FLORIDA,
OPPOSING OFFSHORE OIL DRILLING AND EXPLORATION
ACTIVITIES; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the United States government has expressed an interest in opening the
Atlantic Ocean and Eastern Gulf of Mexico to offshore oil and gas development and exploration;
and
WHEREAS, exploratory and commercial drilling, extraction, and transportation of offshore
oil and gas resources pose a significant risk of an oil spill and leakage; and
WHEREAS, expansion of offshore drilling would require significant onshore infrastructure,
such as pipelines or refineries, which could harm the character of the coast; and
WHEREAS, offshore drilling activities pose threats to treasured vacation destinations on
Florida's Coasts, which are of intrinsic economic value for numerous industries, provide essential
nursery habitats for recreational and commercially important fisheries, and act as natural buffers
from storm surge and hurricanes; 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 that sufficient inspections and controls
are in place to maintain the safe operations of such oil drilling platforms and pipelines; and
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CLEARWATER, FLORIDA:
Section 1. The City of Clearwater is opposed to offshore oil and gas development closer
than 250 miles to Florida's coasts.
Section 2. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 1'3 day of Fe/2"rvev' 2018.
Approved as to form: Attest:
POIL L
amela K. Akin
City Attorney
George N. Cretekos
Mayor
Rosemarie Call
City Clerk
Resolution No. 18- 06