Seismic testing comment period extended

In an effort to get more help for their cause, both of Maryland's Democratic U.S. Senators have written to Maryland Governor Larry Hogan urging him to protect marine mammals and the state's fisheries from seismic surveying testing.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently proposed Incidental Harassment Authorizations to conduct tests to find gas and oil reservoirs beneath the Atlantic Ocean's floors from Delaware to Florida.

The conversation stems back to late April, when President Trump signed an executive order for the Interior Department to review areas off the east coat of the U.S. that were potentially rich in fossil fuels that the Obama administration had put out of reach.

According to a release from Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, under the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA), states have the authority to request a review of these permits to ensure that they align with the Coast Management Plan that Maryland's Department of National Resources developed.

Senator Cardin tells 47abc the Governor does not need legislation to change the outcome of the debate, just a voice in the process.

"The Governor has the power to intercede here, it doesn't require him to enact legislation.  If he joins us in protesting, we think we have a good chance stop these tests from going forward."

The public comment period has been extended by NOAA by 15 days, and is now July 21st.