E&B Deal: Popped a pustular pimple

I casually followed the Macpherson Case after moving back to Hermosa Beach in 2007.  My husband and I became really interested in the issue after realizing that we purchased our home in E&B’s “blast zone.”     While our HOA was legally bound to notify us of any pending assessments, no one was legally bound to notify us of pending litigation regarding the City’s breach of contract with Macpherson.   Caveat emptor. 

Last year, I felt optimistic after reviewing the settlement hammered out by Councilmembers Bobko and DiVirgilio.   Our elected officials set us up for success – we were one ballot measure away from “re-establishing the total ban on oil and gas development within city limits."  I naively thought this would be a “no-brainer”:  Hermosa Beach residents would swiftly vote against drilling in our “best little beach city.”   

I underestimated E&B’s leadership in their field and the power of their strategy to "rapidly increase production through mature field revitalization, acquisition, and exploration."  E&B is "giving us a clinic" in marketing and engagement.   

Just some food for thought: 

• The oil play in Hermosa Beach is not "E&B's Natural Resource."  It is one of Hermosa Beach's most important land assets.  Why would we give it up now?   

• Hermosa Beach has not updated the Land Use Element of its General Plan since 1994. Wildcatting is not consistent with the primary goal of "protect and maintain the small town beach community atmosphere." 

•  E&B has filed an application to construct a heavy industry operation.  This is not a benign, low impact operation.  Take a look at Phase 1:   

• Phase 1, which is estimated to last 6 months, razes 1.3 acres of land.   E&B is estimating nearly 600 vehicle trips by a bevy of 25-ton trucks, double-bottom dump trucks, concrete trucks, etc. (Travelling up and down Herondo/190th Street, PCH, and Valley Drive).  This will be facilitated by a "modification" of the intersection at 6th and Valley.  Bring on the backhoe, paver, roller, wheel loader, slab buster, tamper, crane, and auger.  The benefit of having a 2 1/2 year old son is that I actually know about these heavy machines.   The 32-foot sound attenuation wall will be a new addition to our small town.  Don't worry, they keep 3 of the 4 large, mature trees (until they are killed in Phase 3).  Where does the city yard go? 

I hope that "Drill, Baby, Drill" and "Stop Oil Drilling" residents alike actively participate in the City's strategic plan to update the General Plan, including the Land Use Element.  The Land Use Element is an invaluable long-term planning tool for our community.  It will help us make decisions to transform Hermosa Beach into the environment we collectively desire.      

And, finally, "Buyer Beware":  E&B is expertly obscuring "industrial unpleasantness"-- presenting iconic Hermosa Beach images on their website, using euphemisms and technical jargon (natural resources, oil recovery, environmentally responsible, etc.) and, finally asserting benefits rather than the costs and risks of this operation.      

“…wherever the people are well informed they can be trusted with their own government; that whenever things get so far wrong as to attract their notice, they may be relied on to set them to rights.”  Thomas Jefferson 

Stay Informed:  

The City of Hermosa Beach's website - http://www.hermosabch.org/index.aspx?page=676 

Stop Oil Drilling in Hermosa Beach - http://www.nobpinhb.com/ 

E&B Hermosa Beach - http://ebnr-hermosa.com ("There are many things my father taught me here in this room.")