History of State Waters: Each state has the rights to the water that extends three miles from its coastline, and similar to the Federal government, state governments can also extend rights to companies that wish to undertake offshore activities. The procedures for obtaining leases and restirctions on development vary by state. California's Waters: California has over 1.5 million acres of offshore land and the agency responsible for managing this area in the California Coastal Commission. Similar to Mineral Management Services, the commission ensures that development on leases is carried out in ways that are environmentally sustainable and consistent with the California Coastal Act. Along with holding direct control over all offshore oil and gas development within the state three mile zone, the California Coastal Commission has regulatory authority over all federally permitted or funded projects that affect the state's coastal zone resources. With this authority the commission can restrict offshore development to areas where there is adequate onshore facilities to support drilling. The commission also has strict oil spill prevention and clean-up standards. Regulations in California: Along with the California Coastal Commission, the California State Land Commission also regulates oil and gas development on leases in state waters. California is unique because of the 1994 California Coastal Sanctuary Act, which prohibits new leases for oil and gas extraction in state waters. Oil and gas leases in effect before January 1, 1995 are not affected by this ban and ten sites are currently operating, with six located on islands. The 1994 Act has two exceptions, however. New oil and gas development can occur in the event of a serve national supply problem or when the state determines that state-owned oil or gas deposits are being drained by wells located on adjacent Federal lands. Only in these cases are new projects for oil and natural gas drilling allowed and permission can only be granted through the consensus of multiple government bodies and agencies. The 10 California offshore sites and the companies that run them: Click on each platform name to view a picture and platform details.
Sources: State of California. 1999. "Questions and Answers: The California Coastal Act". California Coastal Commission. County of Santa Barbara. 2005. "California Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing". County of Santa Barbara Planning and Development, Energy Division. County of Ventura. 2001. "Current Operators-Offshore". County of Ventura Planning Division. State of California. 2005. "Table 1-Oil Production Facilities Offshore California-1999". California State Lands Commission-Mineral Resources Management Division. |
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