STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date:
January 13, 2026
CONSENT
8 SUBJECT: RESOLUTION OPPOSING NEW OFFSHORE OIL LEASING FACILITIES OR
DRILLING IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Adopt the attached Resolution titled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, OPPOSING THE INCLUSION OF NEW OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS LEASING OFF THE COAST OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA IN THE 2024-2029 NATIONAL OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF OIL AND GAS LEASING PROGRAM”, stating the City’s formal position against the Draft Proposed Program for the 11th National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program; and
2. Find that these actions do not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act. (Public Resources Code Section 21065; 14 CCR Section 15378(b)(5).)
SUMMARY OF THE MATTER
The more things change, the more they stay the same. The current federal administration has proposed further oil development off the coast of California and the Gulf of Mexico. State and local governments, along with groups like Oceana are poised to oppose this action, given its potential environmental risk to the Southern California coastline and protected marine resources.
A resolution stating the City‘s possible opposition is shown as Attachment 1 to this staff report.
DISCUSSION
Rather than recreate the wheel, I have attached Oceana’s well-developed information about the proposed US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) action. Comments to BOEM are due not later than January 23, 2026. Attachment 1 is a draft resolution for the Council to consider, which will be transmitted to BOEM as well as to the members of Congress (US House and Senate) who represent Laguna Beach.
The City’s operative Legislative Platform from 2022 also supports this action. Under the Platform’s Coastal Protection section, the City is directed to support “legislation and policies that oppose new offshore oil and gas drilling, fracking and other well stimulation in federal and state waters off the California Coast.”
FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
The recommended action has no financial impact to the budget.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
The recommended action consists of organizational or administrative activities of the City that will not result in a direct or indirect physical change in the environment and therefore does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act. (Public Resources Code Section 21065; 14 CCR Section 15378(b)(5).).
RESOLUTION OPPOSING NEW OFFSHORE OIL LEASING FACILITIES OR DRILLING IN
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
January 13, 2026
ATTACHMENTS
1. Proposed Resolution (Pgs. 3-5)
2. Oceana information (Pgs. 6-8)
Submitted By: .David A Kiff Approved: .David A Kiff
Dave Kiff, City Manager
Report Prepared By: Coordinated With:
Dave Kiff, City Manager