San Francisco, CA Urging Ratification of International Convention for Prevention of Pollution from Ships

Type: Resolution

Status: Adopted on 12/11/07

Vote: Unanimous

Source File: http://www.sfgov.org/site/uploadedfiles/bdsupvrs/resolutions07/r0701-07.pdf

Text:

FILE NO. 071572
RESOLUTION NO. 0701-07
Urging the United States Senate to immediately ratify Annex VI of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships

WHEREAS, On November 7, 2007, the cargo vessel Cosco Busan collided with the Bay Bridge, leaking 58,000 gallons of heavy bunker oil into the San Francisco Bay; and

WHEREAS, Because of the high concentrations of sulfur, 2.5 percent and carcinogenic polycyclic aromatics, 13-18 percent, heavy bunker oil is considered to be the most damaging to the environment of all the marine fuels; and

WHEREAS, These concentrations are compared with sulfur fuels such as marine diesel oil and marine gas oil which each have a sulfur content of approximately one half percent; and

WHEREAS, High concentrations of sulfur and polycyclic aromatics in heavy bunker oil contribute to acid rain and other environmental catastrophes; and

WHEREAS, High concentrations of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatics and sulfur also make spills of heavy bunker oil, particularly damaging to the marine environment as well as clean up crews; and

WHEREAS, Because of its comparatively low price, heavy bunker oil is used by a large percentage of the world's cargo vessels, including those that dock in the Ports of San Francisco Bay; and

WHEREAS, Annex VI of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL Annex VI) would allow the United States to prohibit the use of bunker oil within 200 miles of the west coast; and

WHEREAS, The United States Senate has not yet ratified MARPOL Annex VI, now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Board of Supervisors urges the Senate of the United States of America to immediately ratify Annex VI of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL Annex VI); and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Board urges the Environmental Protection Agency to, upon ratification of MARPOL Annex VI, immediately prohibit the use of bunker oil within 200 miles of the west coast of the United States; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Board of Supervisors directs the Clerk of the Board to send a copy of this resolution to Senator Boxer, Senator Feinstein and the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.