ACTION:
____________________________
Clerk/Secretary
Department: City Manager Item No: D4
Prepared by: Angela Baggett, Management Analyst Meeting Date: December 9, 2025 Approved by:
Imelda M. Huerta, Assistant City Manager
John Conley, City Manager Agenda Location: Discussion
S
UBJECT: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COAST AND OCEAN PROTECTION ACT (H.R. 2862)
SUPPORT RESOLUTION
RE
COMMENDATION: Adopt City Council Resolution No. 2025- , supporting the Southern California Coast and Ocean Protection Act (H.R. 2862).
CO
RRELATION TO CITY COUNCIL GOALS: Climate and Environmental Responsibility P
RIOR ACTION: None
S
TATEMENT ON THE SUBJECT: In April 2025, Rep. Mike Levin (CA -49) reintroduced the Southern California Coast and Ocean Protection Ac t, which would prohibit offshore drilling along the Southern California coast, as a part of a larger initiative to ban offshore drilling in sensitive areas and protect our vibrant coastal communities. The Office of Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) contacted the City Manager’s Office to request that this bill be placed on the City Council’s agenda for endorsement by the City of Vista.
The bi
ll would prevent new leasing for the exploration, development, or production of oil or natural gas along the Southern California coast, from San Diego to the northern border of San Luis Obispo County.
R
ep. Levin introduced this bill along with other Members of Congress to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from issuing any oil and gas leases or any other authorizations along the entire coast of California and in other coastal areas across the country.
F
ISCAL IMPACT: There is no direct fiscal impact with this recommendation.
EXHIBITS:
1. City Council Resolution No. 2025- , supporting the Southern California Coast and Ocean Protection Act (H.R. 2862)
2. H.R. 2862 bill text
3. Press Release on introduction of the bill
AGENDA
REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
SUCCESSOR AGENCY
BUENA SANITATION DISTRICT
JOINT POWERS FINANCING AUTHORITY
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00029213 7
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF
VISTA, CALIFORNIA, SUPPORTING THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COAST
AND OCEAN PROTECTION ACT
The City Council of the City of Vista does resolve as follows:
1. Findings. The City Council hereby finds and declares the following:
A. Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) reintroduced H.R. 2862 – 119 th Congress (2025-2026), the Southern California Coast and Ocean Protection Act (HR 2862), which would prohibit offshore drilling along the Southern California coast as a part of a larger initiative to ban offshore drilling in sensitive areas and protect our vibrant coastal communities.
B. The City of Vista supports Climate and Environmental Responsibility.
2. Action.
A. The City Council supports HR 2862 and urges the House Committee on Natural Resources to approve the bill.
B. The City Council further resolves that the City Manager, or designee of the City Manager, continue to advocate in support of HR 2862.
3. Adoption. PASSED AND ADOPTED at a meeting of the City Council of the City of Vista held on December 9, 2025, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
WALTER CHUNG, CITY ATTORNEY
By:
APPROVED
Walter C. Chung
20251118134526
JOHN B. FRANKLIN, MAYOR
ATTEST:
KATHY VALDEZ, CITY CLERK
By:
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EXHIBIT 1
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EXHIBIT 2
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HomeNewsPress Releases
April 22, 2025
Rep. Mike Levin
Reintroduces
Legislation to Ban
Drilling Off of Southern
California
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) reintroduced the Southern California Coast and Ocean Protection Ac t, which would prohibit offshore drilling along the Southern California coast, as a part of a larger initiative to ban offshore drilling in sensitive areas and protect our vibrant coastal communities.
Rep. Levin’s bill, The Southern California Coast and Ocean Protection Act, would prevent new leasing for the exploration, development, or production of oil or natural gas along the Southern California coast, from San Diego to the northern border of San Luis Obispo County.
Rep. Levin introduced this bill along with:
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EXHIBIT 3
Rep. Huffman’s (D-CA) West Coast Ocean Protection Act
Rep. Pallone’s (D-NJ) Clean Ocean and Safe Tourism (COAST) Anti- Drilling Act
Rep. Castor’s (D-FL) Florida Coast Protection Act
Rep. Carbajal’s (D-CA) California Clean Coast Act
Rep. Panetta’s (D-CA) Central Coast of California Conservation Act of 2025
Rep. Magaziner’s (D-RI) New England Coastal Protection Act of 2025 Rep. Ross’ (D-NC) Defend our Coast Act
These bills would prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from issuing any oil and gas lease leases or any other authorizations along the entire coast of California and in other coastal areas across the country.
Together, these bills will protect valuable ecosystems and the economic viability of communities concerned about oil spills.
“I’m joining my colleagues to permanently protect our beautiful coasts and put a stop to offshore drilling in sensitive areas,” said Rep. Mike Levin. “These bills take a vitally important step in protecting our communities from the consequences of offshore drilling, especially as the Trump Administration attempts to unleash drilling on our coastline in San Diego and Orange County. The Administration wants to risk disastrous environmental impacts on our beaches, threatening our coastal economy and way of life to line the pockets of oil executives. I’m proud to join my colleagues in the California Delegation and across the country in taking a stand against offshore drilling nationwide.” Rep. Levin has advocated extensively for a ban on offshore drilling. In November 2024, Rep. Levin sent a letter to the Biden Administration that resulted in the withdrawal of future oil and natural gas leasing in sensitive coastal areas across the country, including in Southern California. In January 2025, the Trump Administration once again opened these areas to drilling and has taken measures to expand 12/09/2025
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offshore drilling and roll back environmental regulations "The Southern California Coast and Ocean Protection Act will protect our environment, economy, climate, and way of life from the harmful effects of offshore oil and gas development. The 2021 Amplify Energy Oil Spill off Orange County showed the damage that offshore drilling can inflict on coastal ecosystems and marine wildlife and triggered beach and fishery closures that disrupted southern California’s tourism-based economy.
The Surfrider Foundation urges members of Congress to support these and other bills to permanently prohibit new offshore drilling in U.S. waters,” said Pete Stauffer, Ocean Protection Manager, Surfrider Foundation.
“Southern California’s coastal communities depend on thriving oceans and wildlife, and they know all too well the devastating costs of offshore spills, busted pipelines, and oil-covered beaches,” said Joseph Gordon, Oceana Campaign Director. “Oceana commends Congressman Levin for reintroducing this important legislation that would permanently protect the Golden State’s beloved southern coast from the dangers of oil and gas drilling and spilling. This bill is part of a state and national movement to safeguard our multi-billion-dollar coastal economies from dirty and dangerous offshore drilling."
“The Surf Industry Members Association is proud to support the Southern California Coast and Ocean Protection Act. Our coastline is not just a vital economic engine—it’s the heart of our culture and way of life for millions across the region. Prohibiting new offshore oil and gas leasing in Southern California is a critical step to protect our waves, our marine ecosystems, and the communities that depend on them. We urge Congress to pass it to ensure a clean, thriving ocean for generations to come,” said Vipe Desai, Executive Director, Surf Industry Members Association
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“This administration is determined to sell off our oceans to pad Big Oil pockets. Permanently protecting the waters off southern California puts coastal communities and wildlife above polluters and brings us closer to a world where our waters are free from oil spills, endangered whale populations are free from seismic blasting, and ecosystems have a chance to thrive,” said Taryn Kiekow Heimer, Director of Ocean Energy at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council). “Now more than ever, we need leadership from Congress to set us back on track to tackle climate change and protect our ocean from an industry that only cares about its bottom line.”
This legislation is endorsed by organizations including: Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Earthjustice, Oceana, Sierra Club, Surfrider Foundation, League of Conservation Voters, Futureswell, Ocean Conservancy, Environment America, WILDCOAST, Surf Industry Members Association, Food & Water Watch, Peace Boat US, Defenders of Wildlife, Ocean Defense Initiative, Center for Biological Diversity, The Ocean Project, Business Alliance to Protect the Pacific Coast, Animal Welfare Institute, U.S. Climate Action Network, American Bird Conservancy, Hispanic Access Foundation
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