Dare, Nags Head Protest Seismic Decision

From an Outer Banks Voice report

Already on record as opposing offshore drilling for oil and natural gas, the chairman of the Dare County Board of Commissioners and Nags Head’s mayor signed a letter to the editor of the News & Observer protesting the National Marine Fisheries Service’s recent decision to approve seismic testing for undersea reserves.

Chairman Bob Woodard, who wrote the letter dated Dec. 2 with Nags Head Mayor Ben Cahoon, noted Monday that governors up and down the East Coast have objected to offshore testing and drilling. Coastal towns and counties have also rejected the idea.

Last week, the National Marine Fisheries Service gave its go-ahead for seismic surveys for oil and natural gas in the Atlantic, approving five companies for incidental harassment of marine mammals under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Woodard said that even if no reserves are found, the process using sound waves threatens marine life.

“I would encourage you to continue to speak out,” Woodard said during the commissioners’ meeting Monday. “I know that our board is unanimous in opposition to this.”