HomeMy WebLinkAbout70-004 RESOLUTION NO. 70- ~
A RESOLUTION OBJECTING TO LEASING OF
STATE LANDS FOR COMMERCIAL OIL DRIL-
LING AND EXPLORATION.
WHEREAS, it appears that from items contained in the press
that the State of Washington, acting by and though its Commis-
sioner of P~blic Lands, intends to lease certain state lands
pursuant to public bids to various oil producing companies for
the purpose of off-shore exploration and drilling for oil and
petroleum in and along the shores of Puget Sound, and
WHEREAS, in other areas where said off-shore drilling
has been permitted, there has been established a pattern of
fouling of beaches, pollution of tidal waters, death and destruc-
tion of fish and wild life, and a cessation of the use of beaches
adjoining said drilling for recreational purposes, and
WHEREAS, the Puget Sound area~ is a particularly unique
area in the United States, in that there exists a large inland
sea which, while being tidal waters, is not subject to the
stormy conditions of the open ocean, and because of the size
thereof contains thousands of miles of beautiful beaches and
shorelands, and
WHEREAS, because of the unique character of this tidal
water, the area has been'utilized to a great extent for recrea-
tional purposes, and, as a result of this use, tourism in and
about the Puget Sound area has become one of its primary indus-
tries, and
WHEREAS, it appears that the utilizatiun of portions of
said tidelands and shorelands and beaches for oil drilling would
.~-~~ ..... ~ ~ ~.l.. ~h~ ~,,~~ ~i~n h~no ~o utilized.
receives from the tourism industry and substantially damaging
beech homes and recreational areas because of the threat of
pollution and the attendant noise, disruption, and unsightliness
of commercial operations drilling for oil in the area, and
WHEREAS, it appears that the oil producing industry fails
on many occasians to take proper steps to ensure that waters
will not be polluted, that beaches will not be fouled, that fish
and wildlife will not be killed and destroyed, but, on the con-
trary, it appears that, through either negligence, inefficient
operation, or lack of technical ability, such incidents are
increasing in every area of the country, and
WHEREAS, it appears that the proposed action of the State
of Washington is, infact, detrimental to the citizens of the
Puget Sound area, wherein there exist many industries producing
goods and materials and rendering services in connection with
the tourism industry, including such concerns as marinas,
boatyards, sporting ~ods establishments selling fishing tackle,
all of which will be substant'&lly and severely damaged, if
not rendered useless, should pollution and fouling of the beaches
occur; Now, Therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND:
That the Council of ~e City of Port Townsend, for and on
behalf of the citizens of the City of Port Townsend, does hereby
express, most strongly, its objections to the proposed leasing
of State lands in and about Puget Sound for commercial oil drill-
ing and exploration, which activities almost certainly will re-
sult in the polluting of the waters of Puget Sound, a fouling and
spoiling of vast areas of shorelands adjacent to Puget Sound,
area from the tourist industry.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Clerk of the City
of Port Townsend be and,he is hereby directed to send copies
of this resolution to the Governor of the State of Washington,
to the Commissioner of Public Lands of the State of Washington,
and to all other public officials, State and Federal, who in the
course of their official duties may exercise control or juris-
diction over the use and utilization of State lands and the use
and utilization of navigable waters.
Adopted this 19th day of May, 1970.
ATTKST:
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
-- ~/ cit~ Attorney