R2020-61 Opposition to Offshore Drilling ActivitiesRESOLUTION 2020-61
A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF
NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA EXPRESSING OPPOSITION TO
OFFSHORE DRILLING ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING SEISMIC AIRGUN
BLASTING, AND SUPPORT FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL ORDER
EXTENDING THE MORATORIUM ON OFFSHORE DRILLING; AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the United States government has previously 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 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 Village of North Palm Beach 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 Village of North Palm Beach 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 Village of North Palm Beach 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; and
WHEREAS, the Village of North Palm Beach supports the Presidential Order extending the
moratorium on oil drilling off the coast of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina to 2032, which was
announced by President Trump on September 8, 2020 in Jupiter, Florida.
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE
OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA as follows:
Section 1. The foregoing recitals are ratified as true and are incorporated herein.
Section 2. Because offshore oil and gas drilling and exploration, including seismic airgun
blasting, will put Florida's environment, beaches, marine resources and local economies at risk,
the Village Council expresses its opposition to these activities. Furthermore, the Village Council
supports the federal government's extension of a moratorium on offshore drilling and encourages
the federal government's prohibition of seismic airgun blasting off Florida's coast as part of the moratorium.
Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 24TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2020.
(Village Seal)
ATTEST:
VILLA E CLERK
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MAYOR