WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) –
Since the Obama Administration has proposed opening up the southern Atlantic coasts to offshore drilling, many environmental groups are speaking out and want city leaders to stand behind them.
The Cape Fear Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation has been very vocal in their opposition to seismic testing and offshore drilling that could be coming to our coast. The organizations, along with other residents of the City of Wilmington, are asking city leaders to join them alongside other coastal communities on their stance.
They are concerned about the damaging effects seismic testing could have on marine life. Seismic testing sends air-gun blasts of compressed air through the water every 10 seconds. The blasts are said to be the loudest man-made sounds in the ocean, but they are not short lived. The seismic blasts can continue for weeks or even months at a time, damaging the hearing of many marine mammals that rely on it to survive.
Having theses potential negative impacts on our marine life has Ethan Crouch, our local Surfrider Foundation Chairman, worried for the other negative effects that could follow.
“We as citizens really need to stand up and be a voice for those environmental resources that we have, and protect our economy as well as the natural resources that brought so many of us to this wonderful community,” Crouch said.
Crouch alongside with other environmentalist are planning to wear blue shirts during Tuesday night’s meeting to show support for the environment.
Additionally, many coastal communities are also concerned with impacts it could have on the tourism economy and fishing industry.
According to a letter sent by the city manager to his fellow council members, coastal tourism brings over $4 billion to North Carolina’s economy with thousands of jobs tied to commercial and recreational fishing.
The letter also states, “The National Resource Defense Council said the Obama Administration’s proposal to drill for oil in the Atlantic exposes the Eastern Seaboard to the hazards of drilling and puts oceans, beaches and wetlands at risk.”
Mayor Bill Saffo said Tuesday night’s council meeting will give the public a look at both sides of the discussion and hopefully answer some of their questions as well.
“If it was to take place, and that’s a big if, will there be any protected revenue sources for the local communities that if there was a spill? How do we take care of our community?” Saffo questioned.
Tuesday’s city council meeting is set to take place at 6:30 p.m.
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