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Eureka council adopts resolution opposing offshore oil and deep‑seabed mining as interim measure
Summary
Council approved a staff‑draft resolution (5–0) opposing new and existing offshore oil and gas drilling and deep‑seabed mining, while staff pursues Local Coastal Program changes to remove those uses as principally permitted.
The Eureka City Council on May 19 unanimously adopted a resolution opposing new and existing offshore oil and gas drilling and deep‑seabed mining, directing staff to pursue changes to the Local Coastal Program that would more permanently restrict energy‑related uses in coastal zones.
City manager Slattery told the council that the current local coastal program designates some energy‑related uses as principally permitted and that a local ordinance alone would not change those provisions; staff recommended a resolution as an interim statement of opposition while the city pursues LCP updates with the county and other regional partners.
Public commenters spoke both for and against the resolution: speakers representing environmental groups urged the council to protect the coastline and Bay from drilling and mining risks, while at least one resident warned about energy costs and urged solutions to reduce fuel prices. A representative of Humboldt Waterkeeper urged the council to remove energy‑related uses from the LCP entirely.
Council member Bauer moved adoption of the resolution; the motion received a recorded 5–0 vote. The resolution states the council’s opposition and directs staff to pursue an LCP update to de‑emphasize or prohibit energy‑related industrial uses locally.
What’s next: staff will pursue edits to the Local Coastal Program and coordinate with county partners; the adopted resolution is an interim policy statement and does not, by itself, alter zoning until LCP changes are approved.
