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MEMORANDUM
TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Jim Steele, District 3 Supervisor
Moke Simon, District 1 Supervisor
DATE: April 3, 2018
SUBJECT: Adopt the Resolution of Support for Protection of Our Ocean and Coast from Offshore Drilling and Fracking
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
As you are aware, the federal government has recently taken steps that could vastly expand offshore oil and gas leasing in the Pacific. Waters that have been off-limits to oil speculation since 1969 due to significant environmental risks may be open to new drilling, fracking and other oil well stimulation techniques.
In addition to the considerable environmental risks, California’s Coastal Economy is critical to our statewide and national financial health. Tourism and Recreation in California’s shore-adjacent communities, alone, accounted for $17.6 billion in 2012, per a U.S. Department of Commerce report.
69% of Californians oppose offshore drilling, per the Public Policy Institute of California.
We recommend that our Board join the California State Senate, the State Lands Commission, and numerous California Counties, including Humboldt, Monterey, Santa Barbara, Solano and Marin in acting to protect California’s coastal waters by adopting the attached Resolution.
FISCAL IMPACT: _X_ None __Budgeted __Non-Budgeted
Estimated Cost:
Amount Budgeted:
Additional Requested:
Annual Cost (if planned for future years):
FISCAL IMPACT (Narrative): None
STAFFING IMPACT (if applicable): None
Recommended Action
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Adopt the Resolution of Support for Protection of Our Ocean and Coast from Offshore Drilling and Fracking