On behalf of several conservation groups, the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) today submitted comments to the North Carolina Division of Coastal Management (DCM) on the first two proposals to conduct seismic blasting with airguns off the North Carolina coast.
The Bureau of Ocean and Energy Management (BOEM) is currently considering nine applications to conduct seismic blasting in the Atlantic Ocean off the North Carolina’s coast with largely overlapping survey areas. To date, two companies have submitted certifications for consistency with North Carolina’s coastal management plan to DCM.
Spectrum Geo and GX Technology are proposing to conduct separate Marine Geophysical Surveys using 2D seismic testing off the North Carolina coast.
Sierra Weaver, senior attorney, Southern Environmental Law Center, said: “The administration would needlessly harm wildlife and fisheries in deference to big oil. Companies propose to blast again and again the rare sea turtles, whales, commercially valuable fish and other marine life along North Carolina’s coast for each oil companies’ own secret information.
“North Carolina has an important opportunity now to protect its coastal resources from repeated seismic blasting. The proposed blasting and cumulative harm is inconsistent with North Carolina’s coastal management plan and goal of protecting valuable coastal life. Our natural resources are an essential part of the state’s coastal economy and our coastal heritage, and cannot be put at risk.”