HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 8-e - Resolution in Opposition To Offshore Exploration, Drilling Activities and Seismic Blast Activities Off the Coast of North Carolina
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: February 20, 2017
Action Agenda
Item No. 8-e
SUBJECT: Resolution in Opposition To Offshore Exploration, Drilling Activities and Seismic
Blast Activities Off the Coast of North Carolina
DEPARTMENT: Board of Commissioners
ATTACHMENT(S):
Resolution
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Donna Baker, 919-245-2130
PURPOSE: To consider a Resolution in Opposition To Offshore Exploration, Drilling Activities
and Seismic Blast Activities Off the Coast of North Carolina.
BACKGROUND: The Board of Commissioners previously approved a resolution on this issue
on September 1, 2015 and some Board members expressed an interest in considering a similar
resolution to consider and forward to State officials.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with considering the resolution.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goal is applicable to
this agenda item:
• GOAL: ESTABLISH SUSTAINABLE AND EQUITABLE LAND-USE AND
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES
The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of people of all races, cultures, incomes
and educational levels with respect to the development and enforcement of
environmental laws, regulations, policies, and decisions. Fair treatment means that no
group of people should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental
consequences resulting from industrial, governmental and commercial operations or
policies.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve and authorize the
Chair to sign the resolution.
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RES-2018-012
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; and
WHEREAS, a waiver has already been granted to the State of Florida based on
the multiple concerns raised and in the interest of coastal tourism;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Orange County
Commissioners is opposed to offshore oil and gas exploration, offshore drilling
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activities and seismic blast activities on the continental shelf or elsewhere off the
coast of North Carolina; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT 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; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Board of Orange County
Commissioners calls upon all North Carolina municipal and county governing
bodies to continue to oppose off shore drilling and continues to urge the Triangle
J Council of Governments, the NC Association of County Commissioners and the
NC League of Municipalities to join in this effort; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Board of Orange County
Commissioners urges Governor Roy Cooper 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 20th day of February 2018.
_________________________________
Mark Dorosin, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
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