RES-2015-044 Resolution in Opposition to Offshore Exploration, Drilling Activities and Seismic Blast Activities Off the Coast of North Carolina

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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;