Resolution No. 14-09 RESOLUTION NO. 14-09
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH,
FLORIDA, OPPOSING SEISMIC AIR-GUN TESTING IN
THE ATLANTIC OCEAN; AND PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Atlantic Beach, Florida wishes to be a
good steward of the coastal environment and its natural resources; and
WHEREAS, seismic air-gun testing is being proposed for the exploration of oil and
natural gas off the Atlantic coast; and
WHEREAS, the use of air-guns to conduct these seismic tests threatens to harm and
possibly kill fish populations, profitable fisheries and marine mammals, including the critically
endangered North Atlantic right whale whose population stands at 500 whales in the entire
world; and
WHEREAS, seismic air-guns fire intense blasts of compressed air, almost as loud as
explosives, at a rate of every one to twelve seconds, twenty-four hours a day for days and weeks
on end. The seismic air-gun blasts can be heard for hundreds of miles in the ocean and may
drive whales to abandon their habitats, go silent and cease foraging over vast areas. At shorter
distances, seismic air-guns may cause permanent hearing loss, injury, and even death for whales,
dolphins, sea turtles and fish; and
WHEREAS, the proposed seismic air-gun testing will result in serious negative impact
to our marine resources which form the foundation of economic vitality for communities all
along the Atlantic Coast; and
WHEREAS, tourism is a major economic force in the City of Atlantic Beach and
offshore drilling poses a major threat to our coastal economy and natural resources and, should a
RESOLUTION NO.
Page 1 of 2
spill occur, the natural environment that supports our local economy would be severely damaged
and the quality of life that both residents and visitors have come to expect would be negatively
affected for the foreseeable future; and
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION ON
BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA opposes
seismic air-gun testing and urges the President's Administration to stop this process and focus on
ensuring the vitality of vulnerable local economies along the Atlantic Coast because we cannot
continue to put our ocean, environment, beaches, marine resources and local economies at risk.
This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its final passage and adoption.
DULY ADOPTED AND PASSED during a regular meeting by the Atlantic Beach City
Commission this 8th day of September 2014.
1' 1111
CAROLYN WO•DS,
Mayor, Presiding Officer
ATTEST:
Alhtee"
DONNA L. BARTLE,
City Clerk
RESOLUTION NO.
Page 2 of 2