Resolution 2009-117
RESOLUTION 2009-~
A RESOLUTION OF THE COLLIER COUNTY BOARD OF
COMMISSIONERS IN OPPOSITION TO OFFSHORE DRILLING IN THE
GULF OF MEXICO WITHIN TWENTY-FIVE (25) MILES OF THE COLLIER
COUNTY COASTLINE AND OPPOSITION SPECIFICALLY TO PASSAGE OF
FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES BILL 1219 (HB 1219) THAT
WOULD ALLOW NEAR-SHORE OIL DRILLING THREE (3) MILES OFF
THE FLORIDA COAST AND AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY COMMISSION
CHAIRMAN TO TRANSMIT THIS RESOLUTION TO THE GOVERNOR AND
FLORIDA LEGISLATURE.
WHEREAS, Florida's economy depends on its multi-billion dollar tourism industry,
which resulted in more than 82 million visitors coming to Florida in 2008, during which period
tourism generated over $4.0 billion in taxable sales; and,
WHEREAS, Tax revenues from tourism during 2008 exceeded $1.2 billion and over
31,300 people were directly employed, receiving nearly $900 million in tourism wages, as a
result of the State's tourism industry; and,
WHEREAS, the Collier County local hotel tax alone exceeded $14.5 million dollars
during fiscal year 2008; and,
WHEREAS, oil and natural gas drilling in waters off the coast of Florida will increase the
risk of oil pollution on Florida Beaches; and,
WHEREAS, the risk to Florida's economy posed by oil and natural gas drilling off of
Florida's coasts is substantial and even a small oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico off of Collier
County could be devastating to our most important visitor amenities; and,
WHEREAS, tax revenues generated from Florida's growing tourism industry are critical
to continued funding of essential govemmental services, including transportation, schools, and
public safety; and,
WHEREAS, HB 1219, if passed by the State Legislature, would allow for near-shore gas
and oil drilling on submerged stated lands underlying the territorial waters off the State within
three (3) miles off the Florida coast; and,
WHEREAS, HB 1219, if passed by the State Legislature, and signed and implemented by
the Governor, would permit the installation of oil rigs, pipelines, and drilling near the beaches
and in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico and other areas of the Florida coastline; and,
WHEREAS, the Collier County Board of County Commissioners voted that it is its
position that better solutions would be generated if the Collier County Legislative Delegation
members would consult first with their local County Commission prior to representing Collier
County interests on issues of community importance such as offshore drilling; and,
I
WHEREAS, the Governor and Cabinet prior to making final determination on offshore
drilling action and activity would be best serving the citizens of the State of Florida by putting
the issue in a statewide referendum.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of County Commissioners of
Collier County opposes offshore drilling in the Gulf of Mexico within twenty-five (25) miles of
the Collier County coastline and opposes specifically the passage of HB 1219 during the 2009
Legislative Session which allows drilling three (3) miles off the coast.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners of
Collier County shall transmit a copy of this resolution to Governor Charlie Crist, Senate
President Jeff Atwater, Speaker of the House, Larry Cretul, the Collier County Legislative
Delegation, and the Florida Association of Counties, as evidence of the County's opposition of
offshore drilling in the Gulf of Mexico within 25 miles of the Collier County Coastline and to
HB 1219.
THIS RESOLUTION ADOPTED this 28th day of April, 2009 after a motion, second and
majority vote favoring same.
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.DW.lG1;IT l!>, B~CK, Clerk
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BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF COLLIE OUNTY, FLORIDA
By:
Approved as to form and legal sufficiency:
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Scott R. Teach,
Deputy County Attorney
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