M E M O R A N D U M
To: Honorable Members of the Town Council
From: Mary Ann Mixon, Council Member - Seat 1
Date: January 20, 2016
Re: Supporting Senate Bill 166 Banning Fracking
REQUESTTitle
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF CUTLER BAY, FLORIDA, URGING THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO ENACT SENATE BILL 166 OR SIMILAR LEGISLATION PROHIBITING HYDRAULIC FRACTURING IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA; PROVIDING FOR TRANSMITTAL; PROVIDING FOR AUTHORIZATION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
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BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
During the 2015 Legislative Session the Town of Cutler Bay lobbied the State Legislature to enact Senate Bill 166 (Attachment “A”) banning fracking in the State of Florida.
“Fracking” or “hydraulic fracturing” or “acid fracturing” is a drilling process which involves the injection of water, sand and many other (often unknown) chemical elements into the ground to create fractures in rock formations, allowing for the release of natural gas and oil, thus posing a permanent irreparable threat to Florida’s aquifers, other natural resources and the environment.
Senate Bill 166 (SB166) was filed by Senators Darren Soto (D-Kissimmee) and Dwight Bullard (D-Cutler Bay). Miami-Dade County was the first county in Florida to adopt a Resolution supporting Senate Bill 166 (Introduced by Commissioner Daniella Levine-Cava, District 8).
Emerging scientific data shows clear and strong evidence that drilling and fracking are inherently dangerous to public health, welfare and the environment. The Town is committed to supporting policies that conserve Florida’s natural resources.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Town Council adopt the attached Resolution urging Florida Legislature to enact Senate Bill 166 or similar legislation prohibiting fracking within the State.