Title
Supervisor Novasel recommending the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 009-2018 to support a ban on new offshore oil and gas drilling and fracking in federal and state waters in the Pacific Ocean and a ban on new federal oil and gas leases in all U.S. waters.
Body
Since 1953, there has been a distinction between state waters (within three miles of the shore) and federal waters (beyond three miles). In the past, California has suffered environmental havoc created by offshore drilling. In 1969, we witnessed the devastation that Santa Barbara experienced when 3 million gallons of offshore crude oil spilled along one of the nation's most beautiful and biodiverse coastlines, killing thousands of birds, fish and marine mammals. Since then, the California State Lands Commission has denied all leases for new offshore oil development in state waters. Just three years ago, offshore oil drilling plagued Santa Barbara again when a pipeline spilled more than 100,000 gallons of crude oil onto the Refugio State Beach, leaking into the Pacific Ocean's ecosystem.
Last week the federal government announced plans to open nearly all coastal waters to new offshore oil and gas drilling, including the entire California coast.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Obtain the Chair's signature on the Resolution and return one executed copy to District V.