Around Hermosa Beach
Oil outreach
E&B Natural Resources Management Corporation has reached out to Hermosa Beach residents with an open letter from President Steve Layton, promising an open dialogue with the community and an extensive environmental review before voters weigh a planned drilling project next year.
The E&B proposal to slant-drill for oil and gas under the ocean, from city land seven blocks inland, will be placed before voters under the terms of a settlement between the city and Macpherson Oil Company, which previously held drilling rights.
“Since the March 2 announcement of the Macpherson lawsuit settlement, I have met with many different members of the community to discuss the possibility of developing limited oil production at the city’s maintenance yard. The decision to move forward with the project will ultimately, and most importantly, be made by the residents of Hermosa Beach,” Layton wrote.
“E&B is committed to listening to residents’ input and keeping them apprised as we develop the proposal. This will be done through the city’s extensive environmental and safety review process that will unfold over the course of a year,” he wrote.
Layton announced the launch of an E&B website called EBNR-Hermosa.com that residents can see for information and updates.
“We are just beginning the process of fully developing this project and realize that many questions remain. We will post new information as it becomes available and have great hope that we will be able earn your support for this mutually beneficial relationship,” Layton told Hermosans.
“I look forward to meeting more members of the community and continuing the dialogue in the weeks and months ahead,” he wrote.
Green game
Mayor Howard Fishman is urging residents to help the City of Hermosa Beach be crowned one of the greenest cities in the nation by making online commitments to conserve water and reduce pollution in the Wyland Foundation’s 2012 Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation.
Until April 30, residents may enter the free contest by making water conservation pledges online at mywaterpledge.com.
Traffic accident
An elderly husband and wife were hospitalized with injuries following a Sunday afternoon traffic accident on Aviation Boulevard at Ocean Drive. Hermosa firefighters used the hydraulic “Jaws of Life” to extricate two people, but one died later at an area hospital.