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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity of Tamarac Resolution R-2015-071Temp. Reso. #12685 August 12, 2015 Page 1 of 5 Revision #1/August 24, 2015 CITY OF TAMARAC, FLORIDA RESOLUTION NO. R-2015-� A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF TAMARAC, FLORIDA, OPPOSING OIL DRILLING WITHIN THE FLORIDA EVERGLADES IN WATER CONSERVATION AREAS AND THE PERMIT APPLICATION SUBMITTED BY KANTER REAL ESTATE LLC TO THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION SEEKING OIL DRILLING RIGHTS ON PROPERTY LOCATED IN THE FLORIDA EVERGLADES; SUPPORTING EFFORTS OPPOSING HYDRAULIC FRACTURING, ACID FRACTURING, AND ANY EXTREME WELL STIMULATION ACTIVITIES; PROVIDING FOR DISTRIBUTION; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the City recently learned that Kanter Real Estate LLC, ("Kanter") has submitted an application for an oil drilling permit to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection seeking authorization to conduct exploratory oil well drilling operations on property in the Florida Everglades owned by Kanter and located in western Broward County, approximately 21 and a half miles south west of Tamarac's City limits and approximately 6 miles west of Miramar's City limits, and WHEREAS, the proposed oil drilling activity within Water Conservation Area 3A and Broward County's unincorporated area is currently not a permissible Temp. Reso. #12685 August 12, 2015 Page 2 of 5 Revision #1/August 24, 2015 use under the Broward County Land Use Plan, the Future Unincorporated Area Land Use, and Zoning; and WHEREAS, if granted, the oil drilling is anticipated to exceed 11,000 feet in depth, well below the area known as the Biscayne Aquifer, which provides the water supply for Tamarac residents and many residents of Broward County, Florida; and WHEREAS, the City, along with many local agencies, has expressed substantial concerns about the potential harmful effects of the proposed drilling, including potential adverse environmental impacts such as the degradation and possible contamination of the Biscayne Aquifer, the substantial impact that such drilling operations will have on the Florida Everglades fragile ecosystem comprised of water supplies, plant and vegetation, as well as the possible harm and injury to wildlife; and WHEREAS, extreme well stimulation such as hydraulic and acid fracturing (also known as "fracking") is the process of pumping a complex mix of fluids and chemicals, including large volumes of water, under very high pressure into or below the surface of the ground to create fractures in oil- or gas -bearing geologic formations for the purpose of producing or recovering oil or gas; and WHEREAS, many of the chemical constitutes injected during fracturing have documented adverse effects on human health and the environment; and WHEREAS, use of these well stimulation fracturing mixes and other drilling fluids exposes adjacent land and surface waters to the risk of Temp. Reso. #12685 August 12, 2015 Page 3of5 Revision #1/August 24, 2015 contamination through open pit storage, truck transport on roadways, and other activities during well operation and well development such as exploratory well sought by Kanter; and WHEREAS, there have been numerous complaints and legal actions taken related to water contamination in the states where fracturing has occurred; and WHEREAS, Florida's water supplies and resources are better protected through prevention of contamination and environmental degradation from the outset, rather than the cleanup of contamination and restoration of degraded environment after the fact; and WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, deems it to be in the best interests of the citizens and residents of the City of Tamarac to present its vehement opposition to the Kanter oil drilling permit application and resultant operations, and to express its support for the efforts opposing hydraulic fracturing, acid fracturing, and any extreme well stimulation efforts for the purposes of resource extraction. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF TAMARAC, FLORIDA THAT: SECTION 1: The foregoing "WHEREAS" clauses are hereby ratified and confirmed as being true and correct and are hereby made a specific part of this Resolution. All exhibits attached hereto are incorporated herein and made a specific part of this Resolution. Temp. Reso. #12685 August 12, 2015 Page 4 of 5 Revision #1/August 24, 2015 SECTION 2: The City hereby publicly expresses its vehement opposition to oil drilling within the Florida Everglades in Water Conservation Areas, including the exploratory oil drilling operations sought by Kanter Real Estate LLC in the area located approximately 21 and a half miles south west of Tamarac's City limits and approximately 6 miles west of Miramar's City limits, and urges Broward County and other municipalities in Broward County to consider similar legislation opposing these efforts. SECTION 3: The City hereby opposes extreme well stimulation, hydraulic fracturing, acid fracturing, and any form of extreme well stimulation for purposes of resource extraction, as well as disposal of fracking related materials and byproducts within the State of Florida or in the waters adjacent to the State. SECTION 4: The City Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Resolution to Broward County, all cities within Broward County, the Broward County League of Cities, Broward Water Resources Task Force, Florida League of Cities, Broward County Water Advisory Board and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. SECTION 5: All resolutions or parts of resolutions in conflict herewith are hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict. SECTION 6: If any clause, section, other part or application of this Resolution is held by any court of competent jurisdiction to be unconstitutional or invalid, in part or application, it shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions or applications of this Resolution. 7 1 Temp. Reso. #12685 August 12, 2015 Page 5of5 Revision #1/August 24, 2015 SECTION 7: This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon adoption. PASSED, ADOPTED AND APPROVED this 1�6 day of e 2015. ATTEST: PATRICIA TEUFEL, CMC CITY CLERK I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT I HAVE APPROVED THIS RESOLUTION AS TO FORM ll it ,1 a Aft. U� SAMUEL S. GOREN CITY ATTORNEY II► MIWo 1 JI 9. MAYOR RECORD OF COMMISSION VOTE: MAYOR DRESSLER G' i DIST 1: VICE MAYOR BUSHNELL ? DIST 2: COMM. GOMEZ DIST 3: COMM. GLASSER�' DIST 4: COMM. PLACKO ��--'