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WHEREAS, the full impacts of seismic blasting and offshore drilling in the Atlantic are not yet <br /> fully understood by scientists, the oil and gas industry, the Bureau of Ocean Energy <br /> Management, or the Federal Government; and <br /> WHEREAS, exploratory and commercial drilling, extraction, and the transportation of offshore <br /> oil and gas resources poses significant economic and environmental risks; and <br /> WHEREAS, offshore drilling activities pose specific threats for the offshore marine ecosystems <br /> and coastal and river wetlands which are of intrinsic ecological value for numerous migratory <br /> bird species, serve as essential nursery habitats for our recreational and commercially <br /> important fisheries, and act as natural buffers from storm surge and hurricanes; and <br /> WHEREAS, commercial and recreational fishing are critical economic and quality of life drivers; <br /> and <br /> WHEREAS, tourism is the economic backbone of the North Carolina coast; and <br /> WHEREAS, one oil spill could devastate the economy, environment and social fabric, as <br /> demonstrated by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010; <br /> NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Orange County Commissioners is <br /> opposed to offshore oil and gas exploration, offshore drilling activities and seismic blast <br /> activities on the continental shelf or elsewhere off the coast of North Carolina; <br /> BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Board of Orange County Commissioners stands in solidarity <br /> with North Carolina coastal communities which may be affected by the onshore infrastructure <br /> supporting offshore exploration and drilling and may suffer adverse long-term social, economic <br /> and environmental impacts from offshore exploration and production of petroleum resources <br /> on the continental shelf off the coast of North Carolina; <br /> BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Board of Orange County Commissioners calls upon all North <br /> Carolina municipal and county governing bodies to pass similar resolutions to this one and <br /> urges the Triangle J Council of Governments, the NC Association of County Commissioners <br /> and the NC League of Municipalities to join in this effort; <br /> BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Board of Orange County Commissioners urges Governor <br /> Pat McCrory and the entire North Carolina General Assembly to oppose offshore petroleum <br /> production policies that risk the health, safety and sound environmental stewardship of North <br /> Carolina's coastline, whose natural beauty attracts a proven tourism-driven economy. <br /> ADOPTED, this the 1 st day of September, 2015. <br /> Chair McKee said Commissioner Jacobs, Commissioner Rich, and Commissioner <br /> Dorosin worked collaboratively on this resolution. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Rich, seconded by Commissioner Jacobs for the <br /> Board to approve and authorize the Chair to sign the resolution. <br />