By Mai Nojima
Circulation Editor
The City of Hermosa Beach invited its residents to express their thoughts concerning the potential oil drilling by E&B Natural Resources in Hermosa Beach on Sept. 12 and 23.
The first meeting in the Clark building focused on what the residents want for Hermosa Beach in the future. Representative from the urban planning firm CZB facilitated a discussion among residents, which included various interactive exercises and discussions that were focused on what kind of lifestyle residents want.
“We want to see how decisions, such as oil, will fit in to the quality of life in Hermosa,” Hermosa City Manager Tom Bakaly said.
Representatives from Kosmont Companies, who are in charge of the Cost/Benefit analysis and Health Impact Assessment for Hermosa Oil, held the second meeting at the Hermosa Beach Community Theatre.
At the meeting, the public provided its opinion on what should be in the Cost/Benefit Analysis and Health Impact Assessment. The analysis will evaluate the potential fiscal impacts on the city under the proposed oil settlement which is set to be presented in January. The Health Impact Assessment will identify potential health consequences from the oil production.
“The things we are doing to educate the public are not required by law,” Hermosa Beach Mayor Patrick Bobko said. “We want to educate people more so they can make the best decision possible.”
A representative from Kosmont Companies also spoke at the meeting about what the residents will expect to gain or lose with the implementation of oil drilling. If voters choose to leave the oil-drilling ban, there will be a $17.5 million settlement payment that the city will have to fund. If voters choose to repeal the oil drilling ban, potential oil and gas reserves, royalties and costs to the city will be considered.
“There is big cost that is associated with the drilling that will affect the royalties that is going to be paid to the city,” committee chair of Keep Hermosa Hermosa Stacy Armato said.
The HIA gave an overview presentation on health issues pertaining to Hermosa oil drilling. HIA will be investigating potential issues over the course of the next few months with McDaniel Lambert, a company that specializes in environmental risk, will write the investigation.
“We are responsible for not only the land we live on, but also the ocean, and the oil drilling can affect the health and well being of our oceans,” Hermosa Beach resident Chris Miller said.
Keep Hermosa Hermosa is an active group hoping to ensure a safe and green future for Hermosa Beach by keeping E & B Natural Resources out of the city.
“Right now, it is a big informational process,” Keep Hermosa Hermosa representative Kevin Sousa said. “We are trying to get the youth involved. We have them informed on how an oil processing plant will affect their lives.”
The final vote for the oil issue will be held next November.
“Ultimately, what matters is that the residents get to vote on this issue,” Bobko said.
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