R19-161 RESOLUTION NO. R19-161
• A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA,
. EXPRESSING OPPOSITION TO OFFSHORE DRILLING ACTIVITIES,
INCLUDING SEISMIC AIRGUN BLASTING; AND PROVIDING 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
1s manmade sounds in the ocean, every 10-12 seconds for days, weeks or months on end; and
11 WHEREAS, seismic airgun noise has been shown to harm and injure dolphins,whales,
1, endangered sea turtles, fish and other marine life; and
1: WHEREAS, exploratory and commercial drilling, extraction, and transportation of
1 offshore oil and gas resources pose a significant risk of oil spills and chronic leakage; and
1
1? WHEREAS, eventual offshore drilling may require significant onshore infrastructure,
1,4 such as pipelines or refineries,which would harm the character of the coast; and
1.
1: WHEREAS, offshore drilling activities pose threats to treasured vacation destinations
20 on Florida's Coasts, which are of intrinsic economic value for numerous industries, provide
21 essential nursery habitats for recreational and commercially important fisheries, and act as
2' natural buffers from storm surge and hurricanes; and
2:
2, WHEREAS, the City of Boynton Beach recognizes that the tourism and fishing
2: industries, which depend on a healthy and vibrant coastal environment, both serve as major
2: economic drivers benefiting the current and future residents, property owners, and visitors to
2► Florida; and
2:
2: WHEREAS, the City of Boynton Beach endeavors to be a good steward of the state
30 and region's environment and its resources; and
31
3►. WHEREAS, exploration and development of oil and gas resources off the coast of
3: Florida will not effecti`ely address the long-term energy needs of our country; and
3
3: WHEREAS, the City of Boynton Beach recommends that it would be more
3: economically and ecologically responsible to pursue non-polluting sources of renewable energy
3 such as solar and wind,that pose less risk to the costal environment and economic health before
3: using uncertain methods of seismic airgun blasting for offshore oil and gas deposits.
3:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH,FLORIDA,THAT:
1
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•
4► Section 1. The foregoing "Whereas" clauses are hereby ratified and confirmed as
41 being true and correct and are hereby made a specific part of this Resolution upon adoption
4i
hereof.
Section 2. Offshore oil and gas drilling and exploration, including seismic airgun
4 blasting,will put Florida's environment,beaches,marine resources and local economies at risk;
4, therefore the Council expresses its opposition to these activities and urges the federal
41 government not to pursue such practices off Florida's coast.
4: Section 3. This Resolution will become effective immediately upon passage.
51 PASSED AND ADOPTED this_ Sfil day of December, 2019.
5i�1
5% CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
5'
5 n YES NO
5:
5 Mayor—Steven B. Grant 1✓
5ri
5: Vice Mayor—Justin Katz ✓
5:
6: Commissioner—Mack McCray ✓
6n
6►. Commissioner—Christina L. Romelus ✓
6� Commissioner—Ty Penserga
6:
6! VOTE S-O
. ATTEST:
.M
6:
7�
7& C tal Gibson, MMC,
7M City Clerk
7
7:
7`
G (Corporate Seal) `�` y
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