Res No 208-17-15009RESOLUTION NO. 208-17-15009
A Resolution to express the City of South Miami's opposition to offshore oil
drilling and exploration activities, including seismic airgun blasting.
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
manmade sounds in the ocean every 10-12 seconds for days, weeks, or months on end; and
WHEREAS, seismic airgun noise has been shown to harm and injure dolphins, whales,
endangered sea turtles, fish, and other marine life; and
WHEREAS, exploratory and commercial drilling, extraction, and transportation of
offshore oil and gas resources pose a significant risk of an oil spills and chronic leakage; and
WHEREAS, eventual offshore drilling may require significant onshore infrastructure,
such as pipelines or refineries, which would harm the character of the coast; and
WHEREAS, offshore drilling activities pose threats to treasured vacation destinations on
Florida's Coasts, which are of intrinsic economic value for numerous industries, provide essential
nursery habitats for recreational and commercially important fisheries, and act as natural buffers
from storm surge and hurricanes; and
WHEREAS, the City of South Miami recognizes that the tourism and fishing industries,
which depend on a healthy and vibrant coastal environment, both serve as major economic drivers
benefiting the current and future residents, property owners, and visitors to Florida; and
WHEREAS, the City of South Miami endeavors to be a good steward of the state and
region's environment and its resources; and
WHEREAS, exploration and development of oil and gas resources off the coast of Florida
will not effectively address the long-term energy needs of our country; and
WHEREAS, the City of South Miami recommends that it would be more economically
and ecologically responsible to pursue non-polluting sources of renewable energy such as solar
and wind, that pose less risk to the coastal environment and economic health before using uncertain
methods of seismic airgun blasting for offshore oil and gas deposits.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA:
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Res. No. 208-17-15009
Section 1: Offshore oil and gas drilling and exploration, including seismic airgun
blasting will put Florida's environment, beaches, marine resources and local economies at risk;
therefore, the City Commission expresses its opposition to these activities and urges the federal
government not to pursue such practices off Florida's coast.
Section 2: The City Clerk shall forward a copy of this Resolution to Governor Rick
Scott, U. S. Senator for the State of Florida; U. S. Representative for the State of Florida; State
Senate President.; State Speaker of the House; U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, and U.S.
Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross.
Section 3. Effective Date. This resolution shall become effective immediately upon
adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 7th day of November ,2017.
ATTEST:
~ APPROVED !f!j U!~
CITY ERK 7' MAY
PROVED AS TO FORM.
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COMMISSION VOTE: 5-0
Mayor Stoddard:
Vice Mayor Welsh:
Yea
Yea
Commissioner Harris: Yea
Commissioner Liebman: Yea
Commissioner Edmond: Yea