HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-2018-063 Supporting Opposition To Offshore Drilling Activities; Including Seismic Airgun Blasting; Providing For Conflicts; Further, Providing For An Effective Date. RESOLUTION NO. 2018-063
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DANIA
BEACH, FLORIDA, SUPPORTING OPPOSITION TO OFFSHORE DRILLING
ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING SEISMIC AIRGUN BLASTING; PROVIDING FOR
CONFLICTS; FURTHER, PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS,the United States government has expressed interest in opening the Atlantic
Ocean and Eastern Gulf of Mexico to offshore oil and gas development and exploration,
including risky methods such as seismic airgun blasting; and
WHEREAS, seismic airguns fire intense blasts of compressed air, one of the loudest
manmade sounds in the ocean, every 10-12 seconds for days, weeks, or months on end; and
WHEREAS, seismic airgun noise has been shown to harm and injure dolphins, whales,
sea turtles, fish, and other marine life; and
WHEREAS, exploratory and commercial drilling, extraction, and transportation of
offshore oil and gas resources pose a significant risk of oil spills and chronic leakage; and
WHEREAS, eventual offshore drilling may require significant onshore infrastructure,
such as pipelines or refineries,which would 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, the City recognizes that the tourism and fishing industries, which depend
upon a healthy and vibrant coastal environment, both serve as major economic drivers benefiting
the current and future residents,property owners, and visitors to Florida; and
WHEREAS, the City endeavors to be a good steward of the state and region's
environment and its resources; and
WHEREAS, exploration and development of oil and gas resources off the coast of
Florida will not effectively address the long-term energy needs of our country; and
WHEREAS, the City recommends that it would be more economically and ecologically
responsible to pursue non-polluting sources of renewable energy such as solar and wind, that
pose less risk to the coastal environment and economic health before using uncertain methods of
seismic airgun blasting for offshore oil and gas deposits;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF DANIA BEACH,FLORIDA:
Section 1. That the foregoing "WHEREAS" clauses are ratified and confirmed as
being true and correct and they are made a specific part of this Resolution.
Section 2. That the City agrees that offshore oil and gas drilling and exploration,
including seismic airgun blasting, will put Florida's environment, beaches, marine resources and
local economies at risk; therefore the City Commission expresses its opposition to these
activities and urges the federal government not to pursue such practices off Florida's coast.
Section 3. That all resolutions or parts of resolutions in conflict with this Resolution
are repealed to the extent of such conflict.
Section 4. That this Resolution shall be in force and take effect immediately upon its
passage and adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED on May 8, 2018.
ATTEST: -s F1�r�f l
ti L
THOMAS SCHNEIDER, CMC TAMARA A S
CITY CLERK MAYOR
APPROVED AST O I
AND CORRECTNESS:
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THO S J. B
CITY ATTO Y
2 RESOLUTION#2018-063