81 RESOLUTION NO. ___ _
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3 A Resolution of the City of South Miami, Florida, supporting legislation for a statewide ban on
4 hydraulic fracturing, acid fractnring, or any well stimulation treatment in the State of Florida,
5 including the prohibition of disposal of related materials and byproducts, anywhere within the
6 State of Florida or in the waters adjacent to the State; opposing any legislation that would permit
7 fracking to expand into Florida or that would keep secret, the use of chemicals or any other
8 substance used in fracking, or other methods of oil or gas drilling or recovery.
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10 WHEREAS, overwhelmingly, emerging scientific data show hanu and inherent problems with
11 drilling and fracking. The science is not divided; research clearly and with strong documentation, shows
12 that drilling and fracking are inherently dangerous to public health, welfare and the environment; and
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14 WHEREAS, well stimulation treatments involve the use of hundreds of chemicals, some of
15 which are known to be carcinogenic or could otherwise be harmful to human health; and
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17 WHEREAS, exposure to the chemicals used in well stimulation treatments will pose a
18 widespread and significant risk to public health and safety and the environment; and
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20 WHEREAS, well stimulation treatments may involve the use of substantial amounts of
21 freshwater at a time when many Florida lakes, rivers, springs and municipalities are already struggling
22 with the impacts of pollution and water scarcity; and
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24 WHEREAS, after being injected into the ground, the chemicals used in the fracking process have
25 leached into groundwater supplies, contaminating drinking water for local residents. There have been
26 numerous documented cases of water contamination next to fracking sites, as well as cases of sensory,
27 respiratory, and neurological damage; and
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29 WHEREAS, in parts of the U.S, where hydraulic fracturing has occurred, including California,
30 Texas, Colorado, Pennsylvania and Wyoming, there have been numerous complaints and legal actions
31 because of contamination of drinking water with arsenic, methane, neurotoxins, and other proven and
32 suspected carcinogens; and
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34 WHEREAS, as with oil and gas wells, the material used for the pipelines will age and degrade
35 over time, increasing the likelihood of leaks. Pipeline accidents are a regular occurrence nation-wide.
36 Legislation or regulations will not stop these leaks and spills as history has clearly shown; and
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38 WHEREAS, after decades of work on an Everglades restoration plan with billions of dollars
39 invested, it would be unacceptable and hazardous to allow drilling and fracking for oil in the Everglades,
40 Big Cypress, and other nearby ecosystem areas. Accidents, spills, and releases of air and water pollutants,
41 such as benzene, metals and hydrogen sulfide, will become likely; and
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43 WHEREAS, a spill, leak or other accident in Big Cypress or the Everglades would create a
44 nightmare scenario for water supplies, drinking water and wildlife, including the ecosystem, which feeds
45 the spawning grounds ofTen Thousand Islands, affecting much ofthe state's fishing industry. Regulation
46 and minimal penalties will have no effect; and
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48 WHEREAS, the wise stewardship of our natural resources involves protection of Florida's water
49 supplies, wildlife and water resources for generations to come; and
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51 WHEREAS, the people of Florida have spoken with the passage of "Amendment One" and the
52 Constitution of the State of Florida now requires that the legislature take immediate and certain steps to
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protect, restore and preserve Florida's lands and water resources by prevention of contamination and
environmental degradation, rather than attempting to clean up contamination and restore degraded
environments, which may not be possible, after the fact.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA, THAT:
Section 1. The City Commission hereby supports a statewide ban on the use of hydraulic
fracturing, acid fracturing and well stimulation treatments (hereinafter referred to as "Fracking") which is
usually performed for the purposes of exploration or production of oil or natural gas in the State of
Florida and the disposal of related materials and byproducts, anywhere within the State of Florida or in
the waters adjacent to the State. The City Commission opposes any legislation that would allow or
authorize more Fracking permits to be issued or to allow Fracking to expand in Florida and/or that would
keep secret from the public and/or prevent or hinder the public health authorities, physicians or
governmental entities, (in effect a public record "gag order") from exposing the use, type and amount of
any hazardous chemicals, or substances used in fracking or other oil or gas extraction methods.
Section 2. The City Clerk is hereby instructed to send a copy of this Resolution to the Florida
Legislature and the Governor of the State of Florida; Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Section 3. The City Manager is hereby instructed to direct the City's lobbyist to support such
legislation whenever possible.
Section 4. If any section clause, sentence, or phrase of this resolution is for any reason held
invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, the holding shall not affect the validity of
the remaining portions of this resolution.
Section 5. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
Passed and adopted this ___ th_ day of _____ , 2015.
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK
READ AND APPROVED AS TO FORM
AND SUFFICIENCY:
CITY ATTORNEY
APPROVED:
MAYOR
COMMISSION VOTE:
Mayor Stoddard:
Vice Mayor Harris:
Commissioner Edmond:
Commissioner Liebman:
Commissioner Welsh:
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