HomeMy Public PortalAbout2018-15 Urging the Florida State Legislature to ban Fracking StatewideRESOLUTION NO. 2018-15
A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE
VILLAGE OF KEY BISCAYNE, FLORIDA, URGING THE
FLORIDA STATE LEGISLATURE TO BAN FRACKING
STATEWIDE; PROVIDING FOR AUTHORIZATION;
PROVIDING FOR TRANSMITTAL; AND PROVIDING FOR
AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, fracking is a drilling technique that sends millions of gallons of water, sand,
and chemicals deep underground to break or dissolve rock in order to release oil and gas; and
WHEREAS, fracking requires several million gallons of freshwater for each well and
may pose a major threat to our water quality and availability as the Aquifer does not have
enough water to spare for the massive amount of water needed to frack; and
WHEREAS, the Village of Key Biscayne (the "Village") urges the Florida Legislature to
adopt a statewide ban on fracking to protect the State's natural beauty and environment; and
WHEREAS, the Village Council authorizes the execution of the letter, attached as
Exhibit "A," which provides support for banning fracking statewide; and
WHEREAS, the Village Council finds that this Resolution is in the best interest and
welfare of the residents of the Village.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE
VILLAGE OF KEY BISCAYNE, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Recitals Adopted. That each of the recitals stated above are hereby
adopted, approved, and incorporated herein by reference.
Section 2. Urging A Statewide Fracking Ban. That the Village Council urges the
Florida Legislature to adopt and enact a ban on fracking statewide.
Section 3. Authorization. That the Village Council authorizes the Mayor and
Council to execute the letter, attached as Exhibit "A," to the Resolution.
Section 4. Transmittal. That the Village Council hereby directs the Village Clerk to
transmit this Resolution to Governor Rick Scott, the Miami -Dade County Legislative Delegation,
and the Miami -Dade County League of Cities.
Section 5. Effective Date. That this Resolution shall be effective immediately upon
adoption hereof.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 24`x' day of April, 2018.
ATTEST:
EDINA,
VILLAG CLERK
APPROVED AS TO`F RM AND LEGAL SUFFICIENCY
VILLAGE ATTO E
2
RA PENA LINDSAY
EXHIBIT "A" Miami -Dade Local Elected Officials
Support Banning Fracking Statewide
Miami -Dade State Legislative Delegation,
We. city and county elected officials in Miami -Dade. write to urge you to support a ban on hacking
in Florida. Fracking and the associated chemicals used pose unacceptable risKs to the health of
Florida families, tourists, our environment and economy.
Fracking is a risky drilling technique that sends millions of gallons of water. sand. and a mixture of
dangerous and often carcinogenic chemicals deep underground to break or dissolve rock to
release oil and gas Fracking presents many concerns related to water contamination, serious
public health issues, and water quantities.
Several million South Floridians depend on the Biscayne Aquifer as the main source of drinking
water And with pollution and saltwater intrusion becoming more and more frequent, county
officials are already scrambling to protect our aquifer. Fracking requires several mion gallons of
freshwater for each well and is a major threat to water quality and availabity in Florida. Our aquifer
simply doesn't have enough water to spare for the massive amount of water needed to (rack.
Despite growing concerns. the oil industry is pushing to driM for oil near the Miami-Oade border. 6
miles west of Miramar Without a statewide fracking ban, there are few protections in place to stop
those conventional dolling wells from turning into fracking wells. The industry has already fracked
in Cellier County, where there is existing conventional drilling.
Miami -Dade is a major tourist destination for the world. Nearly 16 million people visited Miami -
Diode in 2016. Tourists do not visit our beautiful region to be bombarded by the air and water
pollution that comes 'with risky oil drilling and fracking. Hospitality lobs account for over 12% of the
total employment in Miami -Dade. according to a study by Greater Miami and the Beaches. Florida's
tourism industry experienced a major downturn as a result of oil and gas development following
the Deepwater Horizon BP oil spill disaster in 2010 According to a Harvard Kennedy School study.
approximately 50,000 jobs were lost on Florida's Gulf Coast south of the Panhandle because
tourists stayed away from Florida. fearing pollution from the oil spill on the beaches Miami -Dade
could face a similar outcome if hacking is not banned
As state legislators delay passing a statewide frocking ban. county officials are working to ban
fracking wastewater injection to protect Miam•Dade residents from the dangers of fracking.
Miami -Dade County passed a fracking ban in 2016. Across the state, 90 municipalities have passed
measures against fracking. The state legislature needs to act and pass a statewide ban to ensure
that our communities are healthy and that our local economies continue to gran herein Miami -
Dade and throughout the state. We urge you to support a statewide fracking ban and do everyttting
you can to prohibit fracking and the disposal of fracking wastewater here .n Florida,
Signed.
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