Today is the anniversary of the BP Oil Disaster. We urge you to take action to prevent a similar disaster from occurring on the East Coast and stop dangerous oil exploration surveys in the ocean.
The Obama Administration announced this month that the Department of Interior (DOI) will move forward with allowing seismic exploration in the Atlantic Ocean, from Delaware to mid-Florida. This is the pre-curser to oil and gas drilling. At the press conference announcement, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar was very excited, "In my view....we will have seismic by year end."
DOI is holding public hearings throughout the mid-Atlantic, and a public comment period on the draft "Programmatic Environmental Impact Study" (DPEIS). The DPEIS is woefully deficient and down plays many of the risks.
Fact: Two years ago, today, the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill is still impacting the environment and marine life in the gulf.
Fact: Seismic study will blast pulsating shocks of noise loud enough to penetrate deep into the sea bed to search for possible oil and gas reserves.
Fact: Noise pollution will be generated over vast ocean areas - masking and interfering with animal communication, behavior, and reproduction.
Fact: In New Jersey, there are more than 46,000 fishing industry jobs, more than $1.4 billion in recreational fishing sales and more than $5.8 billion in commercial fishing sales.
Fact: New Jersey's tourism & recreation industry, which generates more than $2.5 billion and 72,000 jobs, is at risk from drilling off the Atlantic coast.
Take Action!
We are calling on the true blue friends of the ocean to attend the hearing and submit comments. Here in the New York and New Jersey region, the public hearing will be held on Friday, April 27th at 1pm, at the Atlantic City Convention Center. We want friends of the ocean to be the first to testify. COA is planning transportation options for participants. If you are interested in attending, please contact Zach at Clean Ocean Action at 732-872-0111 or at citizens@cleanoceanaction.org.
Sign up Now! To request to speak at the public hearing, you can email Mr.
Gary Goeke, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, at GGEIS@boem.gov or call at (504) 736-3233. Make sure to mention that you want a speaking spot at the Atlantic City Hearing on April 27th! Click for more information.
Enjoy the Beach Sweeps this Weekend in NJ!
