OCCIDENTAL’S DRILLING PROPOSAL

1970--Occidental Oil applies to drill for two exploratory wells along the coastline in Pacific Palisades.

1973--After a series of hearings, the Los Angeles City Council approves the Occidental request. Running for mayor that spring, Tom Bradley makes his opposition to the drilling a cornerstone of his campaign.

1974--The council decision is overturned by the California Supreme Court, which rules that Occidental must show what the environmental impact will be before drilling may begin.

1978--After being heavily lobbied on behalf of Occidental, the council again approves drilling, only to have its decision vetoed the next day by Bradley. The mayor calls drilling “incompatible” with the area. The council fails to override the veto.

1982--Occidental applies to the city for a third time for permission to drill for oil, offering to stabilize the hillside above the drilling area, the site of a massive landslide in 1958.

January, 1985--Again amid heavy battling between drilling supporters and opponents, the Los Angeles City Council votes 10 to 4 to approve another Occidental bid. In a reversal of his past position, Bradley upholds the council vote, saying he was convinced that the oil company could do the job without damage to the surrounding area.

Dec. 13, 1985--A Los Angeles city zoning administrator, Robert Janovici, refuses to issue a permit to drill, saying that the project is not consistent with the California Coastal Act. The beachfront drilling, he says, would cause “adverse environmental effects.”

Dec. 19, 1985--In another reversal for Occidental, a Superior Court judge invalidates the city ordinance of the previous January.