Florida Geological Survey


 Nation continues its strong dependence on
 fossil fuels and fails to implement a
 comprehensive energy policy. Therefore, it
 is in the national, as well as the State's best
 interest to ban all oil and gas activities within
 100 miles of Florida's coast."
 The governor feels that a comprehensive,
national energy policy is essential. Only within
such a policy can the risks associated with
coastal oil and gas development be wisely
assessed. He concluded his letter to the
president with:
 "This Nation, with your leadership, should
 develop a strong national energy program
 which includes the development of
 alternative energy sources, fuel efficiency,
 conservation and the rapid decrease in the
 dependency on fossil fuels. Without such a
 program, interest in oil and gas drilling
 offshore Florida and the associated risks to
 the resources of our State will remain; and I
 will continue to oppose short-sighted
 approaches to such monumental and long-
 term problems."


 SUMMARY

 Florida petroleum regulations have evolved
 from simple to the complex, from encouragement
 for exploration to concern for economic and then
 aesthetic value of Florida's other natural
 resources. There were no laws regulating oil and
 gas activities before 1945. Early legislation
 responded to the need for petroleum resource
 conservation and to the need to protect the
 economic value of other resources. Later
 legislation responded to environmental concerns,
 especially due to development within the wetland
 environments of south Florida.
 Petroleum exploration eventually extended into
 areas offshore from the panhandle and
 southwest Florida. Other natural and economic
 resources in these areas include commercial and
 recreational fisheries, coastal and barrier island
 environments, Florida Bay, the Florida Keys, and


the only living coral reef in the conterminous
United States. This juxtaposition of potential
petroleum resources and existing natural
resources has yielded strong state environmental
policies. Florida's concerns influenced the federal
1987-1992 OCS oil and gas leasing program.
Florida's Governor Chiles has begun discussion
with the President which may Influence the next
5-year OCS oil and gas leasing program as well.