Item 6A Resolution 15-10RESOLUTION NO: 15-10
AGENDA ITEM# 6A
OCTOBER 12, 2015
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA, OPPOSING
EXTREME METHODS OF OIL AND GAS EXTRACTION, INCLUDING HYDRAULIC
AND ACIDIC FRACTURING OR "FRACKING" WITHIN THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND
ITS ADJACENT WATERS
WHEREAS, the City of Atlantic Beach is made up of waterfront property and is a low-lying coastal
community at the frontline to experience the impacts of sea level rise; and
WHEREAS, the City of Atlantic Beach has various vital facilities and infrastructure that could be adversely
affected by sea level rise; and
WHEREAS, climate scientists and other groups such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration's Coastal Services Center have predicted the potential erosion of dry land and loss of waterfront
property as a result of sea level rise; and
WHEREAS, Florida's aquifer may be compromised from its overuse and polluted by continued runoff; and
WHEREAS, the limestone layer covering much of the aquifer has proven vulnerable to sinkhole activity; and
WHEREAS, hydraulic and acidic fracturing or "fracking" and other extreme methods of oil and gas extraction
raise serious questions of damage to water sources and geologic stability in other areas of the country; and
WHEREAS, the potential for a damaging event to the aquifer and limestone layer could prove to be beyond
the ability to mitigate no matter how great or small the risk of occurrence of such event; and
WHEREAS, hydraulic and acidic fracturing, or "fracking," or other extreme methods of oil and gas
extraction, could affect water and land outside the confines of the permitted area.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION ON BEHALF OF THE
PEOPLE OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA:
Section 1. The City Commission of the City of Atlantic Beach declares its opposition to hydraulic and acidic
fracturing or "fracking" or other extreme methods of oil and gas extraction within the State of Florida or in the
adjacent waters.
Section 2. The City Commission of the City of Atlantic Beach respectfully requests that no State agency issue
permits for such purpose and urge the Legislators of the State of Florida to pass legislation prohibiting hydraulic and
acidic fracturing or "fracking" or other extreme methods of oil and gas extraction or the disposal of related materials
and by-products, anywhere within the State of Florida, or in the waters adjacent to the State, and allocate sufficient
appropriations to ensure success of the legislation.
Section 3. The City Commission of the City of Atlantic Beach further requests the Governor of the State of
Florida to sign such legislation.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Commission of Atlantic Beach, Florida, this ___ day of October
2015.
Attest:
DONNA L. BARTLE, CMC
City Clerk
CAROLYN WOODS,
Mayor