HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-2015-044 Resolution in Opposition to Offshore Exploration, Drilling Activities and Seismic Blast Activities Off the Coast of North Carolina RES-2015-044
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION IN OPPOSITION TO OFFSHORE EXPLORATION,DRILLING
ACTIVITIES AND SEISMIC BLAST ACTIVITIES OFF THE COAST OF
NORTH CAROLINA
WHEREAS, Orange County is committed to being a sound steward of the
environment; and
WHEREAS, Orange County stands with coastal municipalities in their pursuit of
prudent shoreline protection and preservation; and
WHEREAS, seismic air guns firing intense blasts of compressed air are among
the loudest human-made sounds in the ocean; and
WHEREAS, these seismic blasts can occur as frequently as every ten seconds,
for days to weeks at a time and are loud enough to harm marine and aquatic life;
and
WHEREAS, the full impacts of seismic blasting and offshore drilling in the
Atlantic are not yet fully understood by scientists, the oil and gas industry, the
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, or the Federal Government; and
WHEREAS, exploratory and commercial drilling, extraction, and the
transportation of offshore oil and gas resources poses significant economic and
environmental risks; and
WHEREAS, offshore drilling activities pose specific threats for the offshore
marine ecosystems and coastal and river wetlands which are of intrinsic
ecological value for numerous migratory bird species, serve as essential nursery
habitats for our recreational and commercially important fisheries, and act as
natural buffers from storm surge and hurricanes; and
WHEREAS, commercial and recreational fishing are critical economic and quality
of life drivers; and
WHEREAS, tourism is the economic backbone of the North Carolina coast; and
WHEREAS, one oil spill could devastate the economy, environment and social
fabric, as demonstrated by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico
in 2010;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Orange County
Commissioners is opposed to offshore oil and gas exploration, offshore drilling
activities and seismic blast activities on the continental shelf or elsewhere off the
coast of North Carolina;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Board of Orange County Commissioners
stands in solidarity with North Carolina coastal communities which may be
affected by the onshore infrastructure supporting offshore exploration and drilling
and may suffer adverse long-term social, economic and environmental impacts
from offshore exploration and production of petroleum resources on the
continental shelf off the coast of North Carolina;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Board of Orange County Commissioners calls
upon all North Carolina municipal and county governing bodies to pass similar
resolutions to this one and urges the Triangle J Council of Governments, the NC
Association of County Commissioners and the NC League of Municipalities to
join in this effort;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Board of Orange County Commissioners
urges Governor Pat McCrory and the entire North Carolina General Assembly to
oppose offshore petroleum production policies that risk the health, safety and
sound environmental stewardship of North Carolina's coastline, whose natural
beauty attracts a proven tourism-driven economy.
ADOPTED this the 1St day of September, 2015.
TTJ 1 lele�
Earl McKee, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners