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Sarasota commission adopts resolution opposing offshore drilling in eastern Gulf
Summary
The City Commission unanimously adopted Resolution 26R3373 on Jan. 20 opposing proposed offshore oil and gas leasing in a South‑Central Gulf planning area, citing threats to tourism, fisheries and coastal resilience and aligning the city with regional partners.
The Sarasota City Commission adopted a resolution Jan. 20 formally opposing proposed offshore oil and gas leasing in a new planning area in the eastern Gulf of Mexico.
Public Works and engineering staff presented Resolution 26R3373, which would register the City of Sarasota's objection to a U.S. Department of the Interior draft plan that identified a South‑Central Gulf planning area for potential future lease sales. City staff and the commission cited risks including oil spills, industrial activity, harm to fisheries and threats to tourism and regional economic vitality.
City Engineer Sanjay Kamiya said the resolution would put Sarasota's position in the public record for federal review and align the city with neighboring jurisdictions that have passed similar measures. He listed municipalities and counties that have adopted objections to offshore drilling and argued the resolution would help state and federal decision‑makers understand local concerns.
Commissioner Ahern Koch, who requested the item be placed on the agenda, urged unanimous support and described the item as consistent with messages heard at Florida League of Cities meetings. The motion to adopt the resolution passed on a unanimous roll call.
The resolution is a policy statement and does not impose regulatory controls; staff said it will be transmitted to the Department of the Interior and other relevant agencies as part of the federal review process.
