Honorable Mayor and Members of the Hermosa Beach City Council Regular Meeting of January 23, 2018
Title
SUPPORT FOR ASSEMBLY BILL NO. 1775 AND
SENATE BILL NO. 834 TO PROHIBIT THE STATE LANDS
COMMISSION AND LOCAL TRUSTEES FROM ENTERING INTO
LEASE AGREEMENTS FOR EXPLORATION OR PRODUCTION
OF OIL OR NATURAL GAS IN STATE REGULATED COASTAL
WATERS, UP TO THREE MILES FROM THE COASTLINE
(Environmental Analyst Kristy Morris)
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Recommended Action:
Recommendation
It is recommended that City Council:
1. Approve City Council support for California Assembly Bill No. 1775 and Senate Bill No. 834 prohibiting exploration or production of oil or natural gas in State regulated coastal waters up to three miles from the coastline; and
2. Authorize the Mayor to sign the attached letter of support on behalf of the City.
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Background:
The U.S. Department of the Interior has issued a press release announcing the next step for developing the National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program (National OCS Program) for 2019-2024, which proposes to make over 90 percent of the total OCS acreage and more than 98 percent of undiscovered, technically recoverable oil and gas resources in federal offshore areas available to consider for future exploration and development. The draft of the proposed National OCS Program is available at the following web link: <https://www.boem.gov/NP-Draft-Proposed-Program-2019-2024/>.
CA Assembly Member Al Muratsuchi has introduced Assembly Bill No. 1775 (Attachment 1) in opposition to the proposed National OCS Program and CA Senate Members Senators Jackson and Lara have proposed Senate Bill No. 834 (Attachment 2) also opposing the proposed National OCS Program. The League of California Cities is organizing its membership to provide official support for Assembly Bill No. 1775 and Senate Bill No. 834.
Analysis:
In March 2015, eighty (80) percent of Hermosa Beach residents voted against Measure O, permanently eliminating E&B's drilling and mineral rights in the City of Hermosa Beach. Supporting Assembly Bill No. 1775 and Senate Bill No. 834 is consistent with this directive as well as the City’s 2021 Strategic Plan Goals: a More Liveable, Sustainable Beach City, and 2031 Vision of Sustainability and Carbon Neutrality.
In providing a letter of support, the City of Hermosa Beach would be joining League of California Cities member cities in support of the Assembly and Senate bills to prevent the potential devastation of the California coastline through the exploitation of gas and oil resources. On January 16, 2018 the neighboring City of Redondo Beach authorized the Mayor to sign and submit a letter of support on behalf of the City.
A proposed letter of support from the City of Hermosa Beach is attached to this report.
Fiscal Implications:
There are no costs to the City associated with providing a written endorsement of Assembly Bill No. 1775 and Senate Bill No. 834.
Attachments:
1. Assembly Bill No. 1775
2. Senate Bill No. 834
3. Letter of Support
Respectfully Submitted by: Kristy Morris, Environmental Analyst
Concur: Nico De Anda-Scaia, Assistant to the City Manager
Approved: Sergio Gonzalez, City Manager