HomeMy WebLinkAbout6691
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
RESOLUTION NO. ~~q
--~--
WHEREAS, it appears from items contained in the press
that the State of Washington, acting by and through its Commis-
sioner of Public 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, as has been
evidenced by oil leaks and slicks appearing in the State of
Alaska, in several areas off the coast of California, in several
instances along the Eastern seaboard, and several instances in
the Gulf of Mexico along the southern coast, all to the detriment
and damage of the citizens living in the area of said drilling
operations and tourists and properties utilizing the beaches and
waters along the coastlines, 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, is much safer for cruising in small
boats and vessels than are the waters of the open ocean, is much
more suitable for swimming and other aquatic endeavors than is 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 industries, and
WHEREAS, it appears that the utilization of portions of
said tidelands and shorelands and beaches for oil drilling would
completely ruin not only the immediate portion being so utilized,
but large portions of the area adjoining said spots for recrea-
tional purposes, substantially decreasing the income this area
receives from the tourism industry and substantially damaging
beach homes and recreational areas because of the threat of pollu-
-1-
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
tion 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 occasions 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 contrary, it appears that, through either negligence,
inefficient operation, or lack of technical ability, such inci-
dents are increasing in every area of the country, and
WHEREAS, it appears that the proposed action of the
State of Washington is, in fact, detrimental to the citizeps of
the Puget Sound area and, particularly, the citizens of th~ City
of Kent, wherein there exist many industries producing goops
and materials and rendering services in connection with th~
tourism industry, including such concerns as boatyards and sporting
goods establishments selling fishing tackle, all of which will be
substantially 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 KENT:
That the Council of the City of Kent, for and on behalf
of the citizens of the City of Kent, does hereby express, most
strongly, its objections to the proposed leasing of State lands
in and about Puget Sound for commercial oil drilling and explor-
ation, which activities almost certainly will result in the
polluting of the waters of Puget Sound, a fouling and spoiling of
vast areas of shorelands adjacent to Puget Sound, the death and
destruction of many fish in Puget Sound, the death and destruction
of many waterfowl living in and about Puget Sound, and a sub-
stantial loss in income to the residents of this area from the
tourist industry.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Council of the City of
Kent that it does hereby urge all cities, towns, counties, com-
munities, and areas in and about Puget Sound to likewise resist
the efforts of the State of Washington to carry out its announced
intention to permit oil exploration and drilling in and about the
waters of Puget Sound.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Clerk of the City
of Kent be and she is hereby directed to send copies of this
resolution to the Governor of the State of Washington, to the
-2-
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
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 jurisdiction
over the use and utilization of State lands and the use an~
utilization of navigable waters.
Attest:
E. MIRK, City Attorney
Passed this ;l~ay of June, 1970
-3-
~.~ ISABEL HOG~