Local organizations against off-shore drilling

Local organizations gathered in Annapolis to take a stance against potential off-shore drilling measures.

The drafted plans oversaw by the Bureau Of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) apparently includes oil-drilling in parts of the Atlantic City in 2021.

William Brown is the Chief Environmental Officer of BOEM.

The agency manages the nation’s offshore resources to ensure production and drilling are environmentally friendly and held an open forum in Annapolis Monday hear from feedback from local groups that may not agree with the proposed plans.

“About a year from now, we’ll come out with an environmental impact statement that will have alternatives. It might have additional exclusions and there will be a public comment period and we’ll make a decision later.” Says Brown.

Assateague Coastal Trust was among other groups that gathered in Annapolis Monday to take a stance against the proposed measure.

Matthew Heim, an officer manager, says one of their main concerns was that potential oil spills could ruin tourism on the Eastern Shore.

“If a spill were to happen one of one these rigs, even a small one…if ocean city lost a season due to an oil spill, that would be a huge economic impact on the eastern shore and that’s just economics.” Says Heim.

BOEM will be accepting comments from the public in regards this draft proposal on March 30.

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