Oil, Coast and the Governor

The U.S. Department of the Interior held public hearings in Eureka and Fort Bragg this past week on its proposed Lease Sale No. 91 a year from now to allow oil companies to explore and drill for oil in the Pacific Ocean off the coasts of Humboldt and Mendocino counties.

Among those appearing to testify against the project or submitting statements in opposition:

Sens. Alan Cranston (D-Calif.) and Pete Wilson (R-Calif.).

Lt. Gov. Leo T. McCarthy, a candidate for the U.S. Senate.

Atty. Gen. John K. Van de Kamp.

State Controller Gray Davis, the chairman of the California Lands Commission.

Reps. Douglas H. Bosco (D-Occidental), Barbara Boxer (D-Greenbrae) and Leon E. Panetta (D-Monterey), who represent long stretches of the California coastline off which oil-lease sales are planned.

State Sen. Barry Keene (D-Benicia).

More than 800 residents of the area and representatives of a variety of organizations, including the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Assns.

The question: Where was Gov. George Deukmejian?

The answer: The governor’s Office of Environmental Affairs said that written comments will be submitted to the Interior Department later.