HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-08-28; City Council; ; Resolution updating the City of Carlsbad Legislative Platform to oppose new offshore oil and gas leasing, drilling and exploration in state and federal waters in the PaciCA Review {I-JV
9 CITY COUNCI L
Staff Report
Meeting Date:
To:
From:
Staff Contact:
Subject:
August 28, 2018
Mayor and City Council
Scott Chadwick, City Manager
Jason Haber, Assistant to the City Manager
Jason.haber@carlsbadca.gov or 760-434-2958
Resolution updating the City of Carlsbad Legislative Platform to oppose
new offshore oil and gas leasing, drilling and exploration in state and
federal waters in the Pacific Ocean
Recommended Action
Consider a resolution updating the City of Carlsbad Legislative Platform to oppose new offshore
oil and gas leasing, drilling and exploration in state and federal waters in the Pacific Ocean.
Executive Summary
The City of Carlsbad Legislative Platform includes position statement 6(f), which states that the
city is opposed to any offshore oil leasing or drilling within 20 nautical miles of the San Diego
coast. Members ofthe public, including representatives of the ocean advocacy nonprofit Oceana
(www.oceana.org), have requested that the city update its platform to oppose such activities in
all state and federal waters in the Pacific Ocean. During the Public Comment portion of the June
26, 2018, City Council meeting, the City Council directed staff to place the subject resolution
(Exhibit 1) on a future City Council agenda for consideration.
Discussion
On April 28, 2017, the President of the United States signed Executive Order 13795, titled
"Implementing an America-First Offshore Energy Strategy" (Exhibit 2). The Order states that "it
shall be the policy of the United States to encourage energy exploration and production,
including on the Outer Continental Shelf, in order to maintain the nation's position as a global
energy leader and foster energy security and resilience for the benefit of the American people,
while ensuring that any such activity is safe and environmentally responsible."
The National OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program (National OCS Program) for oil and gas
development establishes a schedule of oil and gas lease sales proposed for planning areas of
the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The Program specifies the size, timing, and location of
potential leasing activity that the Secretary of the Interior determines will best meet national
energy needs.
Currently, the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is working under the 2017-
2022 National OCS Program, which does not propose any new offshore leasing or drilling in the
Pacific Ocean. However, in response to the President's Executive Order 13795 and the Interior
August 28, 2018 Item #8 Page 1 of 15
Secretary's Order 3350 (Exhibit 3), the BOEM has initiated a process to develop a new National
OCS Program for 2019-2024 to, upon completion, replace the 2017-2022 Program. The 2019-
2024 Draft Proposed Program Lease Sale Schedule provides for new lease sales to occur in the
Northern, Central and Southern California Program Areas, as well as the Washington/Oregon
Program Area.
The City of Carlsbad Legislative Platform includes position statement 6(f), which states that the
city is opposed to any offshore oil leasing or drilling within 20 nautical miles of the San Diego
coast. That position provided the basis for the city's February 9, 2018, letter to the BOEM's
National OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program Manager (Exhibit 4).
In opposing offshore oil leasing and drilling off the San Diego coast, the city has acknowledged
that such activities would put the region's coastal environment, and the communities and
industries that depend on it, at increased risk from oil spills. However, given the potential for
such impacts to result from incidents occurring anywhere in the Pacific Region, the rationale
behind limiting city opposition to leasing and drilling activity within '20 nautical miles' is
unclear.
As such, staff recommends that the City Council consider a resolution updating the City of
Carlsbad Legislative Platform to oppose new offshore oil and gas leasing, drilling and
exploration in all state and federal waters in the Pacific Ocean.
Adoption of the proposed resolution is consistent with the goals of the city's Climate Action
Plan and the city's Environmental and Sustainability Guiding Principles. The County of San Diego
and several San Diego County cities, including Oceanside, Encinitas, Solana Beach, and San
Diego have adopted similar resolutions.
Next Steps
The City of Carlsbad Legislative Platform will be updated to reflect the proposed changes, and
the resolution will be distributed to the list of recipients identified in the resolution.
Fiscal Analysis
No city funding is being requested at this time.
Environmental Evaluation (CEQA)
Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21065, receiving this informational report does not
constitute a "project" within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in
that it has no potential to cause either a direct physical change in the environment, or a
reasonably foreseeable indirect change in the environment, and therefore does not require
environmental review.
Public Notification
This item was noticed in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act (California Government Code
Section 54950 et seq.), published and distributed at least 72 hours prior to the meeting date
and time.
August 28, 2018 Item #8 Page 2 of 15
Exhibits
1. Resolution updating the City of Carlsbad Legislative Platform to oppose new offshore oil
and gas leasing, drilling and exploration in state and federal waters in the Pacific Ocean
2. Presidential Executive Order 13795 -Implementing an America-First Offshore Energy
Strategy
3. Interior Secretary's Order 3350
4. City of Carlsbad -February 9, 2018, letter to the BOEM's National OCS Oil and Gas
Leasing Program Manager
August 28, 2018 Item #8 Page 3 of 15
RESOLUTION NO. 2018-163
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD,
CALIFORNIA, UPDATING THE CITY OF CARLSBAD LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM TO
OPPOSE OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS LEASING, DRILLING AND EXPLORATION IN
STATE AND FEDERAL WATERS IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN
Exhibit 1
WHEREAS, the City of Carlsbad and its visitors enjoy California's beaches and the Pacific Ocean
for recreational, commercial, and educational activities, all of which support our local economy; and
WHEREAS, our residents value our state's ocean and coastal waters, which provide habitat to a
vast array of wildlife, including fish, whales, sea turtles, and birds that depend on a healthy and clean
environment; and
WHEREAS, offshore oil and gas drilling and exploration off the Pacific coast puts these coastal
resources, and the communities and industries that depend on them, at risk from oil spills and other
damage; and
WHEREAS, expanding offshore oil and gas drilling complicates existing efforts to maintain clean
and healthy coastal ecosystems and the tourism and recreation jobs and revenue that depend on them;
and
WHEREAS, significant efforts to maintain the quality of our coastal waters amidst multiplicative
impacts from sewage, industrial uses, and climatic impacts are being enacted by city officials, local
organizations, and citizens; and
WHEREAS, the oil industry's negligence of oil platform safety standards has resulted in a long
legacy of catastrophic economic and environmental damage to coastal waters and communities,
including a massive oil spill in 1969 off the coast of Santa Barbara; and
WHEREAS, in 2015 a pipeline servicing offshore oil platforms in Refugio State Park burst and
fouled the same coastal areas, damaging wildlife populations and impacting recreational and
commercial activities; and
WHEREAS, the federal administration has proposed an expansion of offshore oil and gas
leasing to new areas which have largely been off-limits to new federal leasing, including the Pacific
Coast; and
WHEREAS, new federal offshore oil and gas leases have not been granted off the coast of
California since 1984; and
August 28, 2018 Item #8 Page 4 of 15
Exhibit 1
WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Interior's 2017-2022 Five-Year Outer Continental Shelf (OCS)
Leasing Program adopted as of November 18, 2016 contained no proposed offshore drilling along the
Pacific Coast; and
WHEREAS, the Interior Department's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is
considering an expanded Five-Year OCS Leasing Program for the years 2019-2024, in response to which
this resolution is hereby submitted; and
WHEREAS, the City of Carlsbad is opposed to inclusion of any offshore drilling tracts in any OCS
Planning Area on the Pacific Coast in the pending 2019-2024 Proposed Program and any other future
National Programs; and
WHEREAS, the state of California prohibited new oil and gas leasing in state waters due to
the unacceptably high risk of damage and disruption to the marine environment; and
WHEREAS, the Governor of California, the Attorney General, the State Senate and Assembly,
the State Lands Commission, the Coastal Commission, the Fish and Game Commission, the Pacific
Fishery Management Council, along with a growing number of cities, have taken a stand against new
federal offshore oil and gas leases in the Pacific Ocean; and
WHEREAS, opening new areas off California's coast to offshore drilling will deepen the state's
dependence on fossil fuels and undermine its efforts to address climate change by reducing
greenhouse gas emissions and moving toward renewable energy.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, as
follows:
1. That the above recitations are true and correct.
2. That the City of Carlsbad opposes new federal oil and gas leasing in all U.S. waters in the
Pacific Ocean.
3. That the document date and Section 6(f) of the City of Carlsbad Legislative Platform
regarding offshore oil leasing or drilling is hereby updated as follows (additions shown
in underline, deletions shown in !itr:ihotlue~gh):
II
II
August 28, 2018 Item #8 Page 5 of 15
Exhibit 1
CITY OF CARLSBAD
20184 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
6. Coastline:
(f) Oppose any new offshore oil and gas leasing, drilling and exploration :::itl:tin .rn
nawtieal mil@s @ft~@ San ~i@g@ e@ast in all State of California and U.S. waters in the
Pacific Ocean.
4. That the City Clerk shall forward a copy of this Resolution to Secretary Zinke; Bureau of
Ocean Energy Management Acting Director Walter Cruickshank; Bureau of Ocean
Energy Management National Program Manager Kelly Hammerle; Governor Jerry
Brown; U. S. Senators Feinstein and Harris; U.S. Representative Darrell Issa; State
Senator Patricia Bates; and State Assembly Member Rocky Chavez.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of
Carlsbad on the 28th day of August, 2018, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
M. Hall, K. Blackburn, M. Schumacher, C. Schumacher, M. Packard.
None.
None.
~ARBARA ENGLESON, City Clerk
(SEAL)
August 28, 2018 Item #8 Page 6 of 15
20816 Federal Register/Vol. 82, No. 84/Wednesday, May 3, 2017 /Presidential Documents
within the designated area-including offshore energy from wind, oil, natural
gas, methane hydrates, and any other sources that the Secretary of Commerce
deems appropriate-and the potential impact the proposed designation or
expansion will have on the development of those resources. The Secretary
of the Interior shall provide any such accounting within 60 days of receiving
a notification of intent to propose any such National Marine Sanctuary
designation or expansion from the Secretary of Commerce.
(b) The Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of
Defense, the Secretary of the Interior, and the Secretary of Homeland Security,
shall conduct a review of all designations and expansions of National Marine
Sanctuaries, and of all designations and expansions of Marine National
Monuments under the Antiquities Act of 1906, recently recodified at sections
320301 to 320303 of title 54, United States Code, designated or expanded
within the 10-year period prior to the date of this order.
(i) The review under this subsection shall include:
(A) an analysis of the acreage affected and an analysis of the budgetary
impacts of the costs of managing each National Marine Sanctuary or
Marine National Monument designation or expansion;
(B) an analysis of the adequacy of any required Federal, State, and
tribal consultations conducted before the designations or expansions; and
(C) the opportunity costs associated with potential energy and mineral
exploration and production from the Outer Continental Shelf, in addition
to any impacts on production in the adjacent region.
(ii) Within 180 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Commerce,
in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of the
Interior, shall report the results of the review under this subsection to
the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the Chairman of
the Council on Environmental Quality, and. the Assistant to the President
for Economic Policy.
(c) To further streamline existing regulatory authorities, Executive Order
13754 of December 9, 2016 (Northern Bering Sea Climate Resilience), is
hereby revoked.
Sec. 5. Modification of the Withdrawal of Areas of the Outer Continental
Shelf from Leasing Disposition. The body text in each of the memoranda
of withdrawal from disposition by leasing of the United States Outer Conti-
nental Shelf issued on December 20, 2016, January 27, 2015, and July
14, 2008, is modified to read, in its entirety, as follows:
"Under the authority vested in me as President of the United States,
including section 12(a) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, 43 U.S.C.
1341(a), I hereby withdraw from disposition by leasing, for a time period
without specific expiration, those areas of the Outer Continental Shelf des-
ignated as of July 14, 2008, as Marine Sanctuaries under the Marine Protec-
tion, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972, 16 U.S.C. 1431-1434, 33 U.S.C.
1401 et seq."
Nothing in the withdrawal under this section affects any rights under
existing leases in the affected areas.
Sec. 6. Reconsideration of Notice to Lessees and Financial Assurance Regu-
latory Review. The Secretary of the Interior shall direct the Director of
BOEM to take all necessary steps consistent with law to review BOEM's
Notice to Lessees No. 2016-NOl of September 12, 2016 (Notice to Lessees
and Operators of Federal Oil and Gas, and Sulfur Leases, and Holders
of Pipeline Right-of-Way and Right-of-Use and Easement Grants in the Outer
Continental Shelf), and determine whether modifications are necessary, and
if so, to what extent, to ensure operator compliance with lease terms while
minimizing unnecessary regulatory burdens. The Secretary of the Interior
shall also review BOEM's financial assurance regulatory policy to determine
the extent to which additional regulation is necessary.
Sec. 7. Reconsideration of Well Control Rule. The Secretary of the Interior
shall review the Final Rule of the Bureau · of Safety and Environmental
August 28, 2018 Item #8 Page 8 of 15
Federal Register/Vol. 82, No. 84/Wednesday, May 3, 2017 /Presidential Documents 20817
Enforcement (BSEE) entitled "Oil and Gas and Sulfur Operations in the
Outer Continental Shelf-Blowout Preventer Systems and Well Control," 81
Fed. Reg. 25888 (April 29, 2016), for consistency with the policy set forth
in section 2 of this order, and shall publish for notice and comment a
proposed rule revising that rule, if appropriate and as consistent with law.
The Secretary of the Interior shall also take all appropriate action to lawfully
revise any related rules and guidance for consistency with the policy set
forth in section 2 of this order. Additionally, the Secretary of the Interior
shall review BSEE's regulatory regime for offshore operators to determine
the extent to which additional regulation is necessary.
Sec. 8. Reconsideration of Proposed Offshore Air Rule. The Secretary of
the Interior shall take all steps necessary to review BOEM's Proposed Rule
entitled "Air Quality Control, Reporting, and Compliance," 81 Fed. Reg.
19718 (April 5, 2016), along with any related rules and guidance, and,
if appropriate, shall, as soon as practicable and consistent with law, consider
whether the proposed rule, and any related rules and guidance, should
be revised or withdrawn.
Sec. 9. Expedited Consideration of Incidental Harassment Authorizations,
Incidental-Take, and Seismic Survey Permits. The Secretary of the Interior
and the Secretary of Commerce shall, to the maximum extent permitted
by law, expedite all stages of consideration of Incidental Take Authorization
requests, including Incidental Harassment Authorizations and Letters of Au-
thorization, and Seismic Survey permit applications under the Outer Conti-
nental Shelf Lands Act, 43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq., and the Marine Mammal
Protection Act, 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.
Sec. 10. Review of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[NOAA) Technical Memorandum NMFS-OPR-55. The Secretary of Commerce
shall review NOAA's Technical Memorandum NMFS-OPR-55 of July 2016
(Technical Guidance for Assessing the Effects of Anthropogenic Sound on
Marine Mammal Hearing) for consistency with the policy set forth in section
2 of this order and, after consultation with the appropriate Federal agencies,
take all steps permitted by law to rescind or revise that guidance, if appro-
priate.
Sec. 11. Review of Offshore Arctic Drilling Rule. The Secretary of the Interior
shall immediately take all steps necessary to review the Final Rule entitled
"Oil and Gas and Sulfur Operations on the Outer Continental Shelf-Require-
ments for Exploratory Drilling on the Arctic Outer Continental Shelf," 81
Fed. Reg. 46478 (July 15, 2016), and, if appropriate, shall, as soon as prac-
ticable and consistent with law, publish for notice and comment a proposed
rule suspending, revising, or rescinding this rule.
Sec. 12. Definition. As used in this order, "Outer Continental Shelf Planning
Areas, as designated by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management" means
those areas delineated in the diagrams on pages S-5 and S-8 of the 2017-
2022 Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Draft Proposed Program,
as published by the BOEM in January 2015, with the exception of any
buffer zones included in such planning documents.
Sec. 13. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed
to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency,
or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget
relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and
subject to the availability of appropriations.
August 28, 2018 Item #8 Page 9 of 15
2
Outer Continental Shelf, in order to maintain the Nation's position as a global energy leader and
foster energy security and resilience for the benefit of the American people." The Executive
Order eliminated the previous Administration's OCS leasing withdrawals and directed the
Department to take a number of actions designed to ensure robust and responsible exploration
and development of our OCS resources. These directives include revising the five-year leasing
program and reconsidering promulgation of enumerated final or proposed rules and guidance that
impact OCS resource development. This Order is designed to implement the President's
directives and take other actions to ensure that responsible OCS exploration and development is
promoted and not unnecessarily delayed or inhibited.
Sec. 4 Directive. In furtherance of the President's Executive Order, and consistent with
principles ofresponsible public stewardship entrusted to the Department, with due
consideration of the critical importance of energy security, job creation, and conservation
stewardship, I hereby direct the following:
a. The BOEM shall undertake the following actions:
( 1) Immediately initiate development of a new "Five-Year Outer Continental
Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program", with full consideration given to leasing the OCS offshore
Alaska, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic, and the Gulf of Mexico, in conformity with the provisions
of OCSLA as directed by the President's Executive Order.
(2) In cooperation with the National Marine Fisheries Service, undertake the
following activities: (i) establish a plan to expedite consideration of Incidental Take
Authorization requests, including Incidental Harassment Authorizations and Letters of
Authorization, that may be needed for seismic survey permits and other OCS activities; and (ii)
develop and implement a streamlined permitting approach for privately-funded seismic data
research and collection aimed at expeditiously determining the offshore energy resource
potential of the United States.
(3) Expedite consideration of appealed, new, or resubmitted seismic
permitting applications for the Atlantic.
(4) Promptly complete BOEM's previously announced review of Notice to
Lessees (NTL) No. 2016-NOl "Notice to Lessees and Operators of Federal Oil and Gas, and
Sulfur Leases, and Holders of Pipeline Right-of-Way and Right-of-Use and Easement Grants
in the Outer Continental Shelf' (September 12, 2016), and provide to the Assistant Secretary-
Land and Minerals Management (ASLM), the :peputy Secretary, and Counselor to the
Secretary for Energy Policy, a report describing the results of the review and options for
revising or rescinding NTL No. 2016-NOl. The BOEM's previously announced extension of
the implementation timelines for NTL No. 2016-NOl shall remain in effect pending completion
of the review by the ASLM, Deputy Secretary, and the Counselor to the Secretary for Energy
Policy.
(5) Immediately cease all activities to promulgate the "Offshore Air Quality
Control, Reporting, and Compliance" Proposed Rule published at 81 Federal Register 19717
August 28, 2018 Item #8 Page 12 of 15
3
(April 5, 2016) and all other rules and guidance published pursuant thereto. Within 21 days.of
the issuance of this Order, the Director of BOEM shall provide to the ASLM, the Deputy
Secretary, and Counselor to the Secretary for Energy Policy, a report explaining the effects, if
any, of not issuing a new rule addressing offshore air quality, and providing options for
revising or withdrawing the proposed rule consistent with the policy set forth in section 2 of
the Executive Order.
(6) Within 21 days of the issuance of this Order, BOEM shall provide to the
ASLM, the Deputy Secretary, and Counselor to the Secretary for Energy Policy, a report
summarizing progress on the action items 1-5 above.
b. The BSEE shall undertake the following actions:
(1) Promptly review the final rule on "Oil and Gas and Sulfur Operations in
the Outer Continental Shelf-Blowout Preventer Systems and Well Control" for consistency
with the policy set forth in section 2 of the Executive Order, as well as all policies, rules,
guidance, instructions, notices, or other implementing actions that have been adopted or are in
the process of being developed relating thereto.
(2) Within 21 days of the issuance of this Order, provide to ASLM, Deputy
Secretary, and Counselor to the Secretary for Energy Policy a report summarizing the review
and providing recommendations on whether to suspend, revise, or rescind the rule.
c. The BSEE and BOEM are also to undertake the following action: Promptly
review the final rule entitled "Oil and Gas and Sulfur Operations on the Outer Continental
Shelf-Requirements for Exploratory Drilling on the Arctic Outer Continental Shelf,"
81 Federal Register 46478 (July 15, 2016), for consistency with the policy set forth in section 2
of the Executive Order and, within 21 days of the date of this Order, provide to ASLM, Deputy
Secretary, and Counselor to the Secretary for Energy Policy a report summarizing the review
and providing recommendations on whether to suspend, revise, or rescind the rule.
d. The Counselor to the Secretary for Energy Policy, in cooperation with the
Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks (ASFWP) and ASLM, shall work with the
Department of Commerce to review the National Marine Sanctuary and Monument
designations as directed by the Executive Order.
Sec. 5 Counselor to the Secretary for Energy Policy. To further promote the deliberate and
active coordination of energy policy in the Department, I am, by separate Order, establishing
within the Secretary's Immediate Office the position of Counselor to the Secretary for Energy
Policy. The Deputy Secretary, ASLM, and ASFWP will coordinate with the Counselor to the
Secretary for Energy Policy in implementing this Order.
Sec. 6 Effect of Order. This Order is intended to improve the internal management of the
Department. This Order and any resulting reports or recommendations are not intended to, and
do not create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or equity by a
party against the United States, its departments, agencies, instrumentalities or entities, its
August 28, 2018 Item #8 Page 13 of 15
Morgen Fry
Subject:
Attachments:
FW: SD County Letter Re: Offshore Oil Drilling Opposition
2018_san diego county_letter.pdf --.... -----, .
. -.
For the Information of the:
CITY COUNCIL
From: Jason Haber
As_¥...:(_CA ;-·-...
Oate~-CM-~-COO,/
Sent: Monday, August 27, 2018 12:14 PM
To: Council Archive <councilarchive@carlsbadca.gov>
Cc: Scott Chadwick <Scott.Chadwick@carlsbadca.gov>; Elaine Lukey <Elaine.Lukey@carlsbadca.gov>; Gary Barberio
<Gary.Barberio@carlsbadca.gov>; Celia Brewer <Celia.Brewer@carlsbadca.gov>; City Clerk <Clerk@carlsbadca.gov>
Subject: SD County Letter Re: Offshore Oil Drilling Opposition
Good afternoon Council Members,
Dr. Packard requested a copy of the county's letter opposing offshore oil drilling, as it relates to item #8 on tomorrow's
agenda. The letter is attached for your reference.
Please be in touch if you have any questions, or would like to discuss this further.
Thanks,
Jason Haber
Assistant to the City Manager
(City of
Carlsbad
760-434-2958 I Jason.Haber@carlsbadca.gov
1200 Carlsbad Village Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92008-1949
www.carlsbadca.gov
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1
KRISTIN GASPAR
CHAIRWOMAN, THIRD DISTRICT
SAN DIEGO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
March 9, 2018
The Honorable Donald Trump
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear President Trump:
On behalf of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, I am writing to urge you and your
Administration to reject any proposal that would allow an expansion of offshore oil drilling in the
coastal waters off of the State of California. Any effort to expand offshore drilling in the waters
off the California coast would endanger our region and our State's vibrant coastal economy and
ecology.
San Diego's coastal economy, marine wildlife, and military operations are threatened by
proposed expanded offshore oil and gas leasing. The Santa Barbara spill of 1969 dumped as
· much as three million gallons of oil into the ocean creating an oil slick stretching 35 miles along
the California coast. Should new drilling be allowed, it will only increase the likelihood of
additional spills, and the potential for major economic and environmental disaster for California
and the nation.
The California State Lands Commission noted that in 2016, California's coastal economy
produced $2.2 trillion, which represents 12 percent of the nation's total economy. The
expansion of offshore drilling in California represents a direct threat to this nationally significant
economic engine, threatens hundreds of thousands of jobs that are reliant on the coastal
economy, and could threaten animal and marine life.
The County of San Diego has opposed offshore oil drilling in the coastal waters within the San
Diego region for more than 20 years. Our Board urges you to take heed of this message, and
reject the coastal waters of California for any expansion of offshore oil drilling.
Sincerely,
KRISTI
Chairwoman
County of San Diego
Cc: San Diego Congressional Delegation
County Administration Center • 1600 Pacific Highway, Room 335 • San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 531-5533 • Fax (619) 234-1559 • www.SupervisorKristinGaspar.com
Email: Kristin.Gaspar@sdcounty.ca.gov
KRISTIN GASPAR
CHAIRWOMAN, THIRD DISTRICT
SAN DIEGO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
March 9, 2018
The Honorable Donald Trump
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear President Trump:
On behalf of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, I am writing to urge you and your
Administration to reject any proposal that would allow an expansion of offshore oil drilling in the
coastal waters off of the State of California. Any effort to expand offshore drilling in the waters
off the California coast would endanger our region and our State's vibrant coastal economy and
ecology.
San Diego's coastal economy, marine wildlife, and military operations are threatened by
proposed expanded offshore oil and gas leasing. The Santa Barbara spill of 1969 dumped as
much as three million gallons of oil into the ocean creating an oil slick stretching 35 miles along
the California coast. Should new drilling be allowed, it will only increase the likelihood of
additional spills, and the potential for major economic and environmental disaster for California
and the nation.
The California State Lands Commission noted that in 2016, California's coastal economy
produced $2.2 trillion, which represents 12 percent of the nation's total economy. The
expansion of offshore drilling in California represents a direct threat to this nationally significant
economic engine, threatens hundreds of thousands of jobs that are reliant on the coastal
economy, and could threaten animal and marine life.
The County of San Diego has opposed offshore oil drilling in the coastal waters within the San
Diego region for more than 20 years. Our Board urges you to take heed of this message, and
reject the coastal waters of California for any expansion of offshore oil drilling.
Sincerely,
Chairwoman
County of San Diego
Cc: San Diego Congressional Delegation
County Administration Center • 1600 Pacific Highway, Room 335 • San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 531-5533 • Fax (619) 234-1559 • www.SupervisorKristinGaspar.com
Email: Kristin.Gaspar@sdcounty.ca.gov