cartoon cow writing at a desk

I Oppose Offshore Drilling in the Atlantic Ocean (3.2.18)

I adamantly oppose offshore drilling in the Atlantic Ocean. I am a resident of Glen Allen, VA and Pawleys Island, SC. I oppose offshore drilling in both of my states as well as the entire east coast of the United States of America. We have been visiting Pawleys Island, SC for the past 25 years and purchased an oceanfront condo there 14 years ago to enjoy the spectacular view and the multitude of benefits the Atlantic Ocean provides. Our family lives in this condo throughout the year. We would have NEVER, EVER purchased this condo if there were offshore drilling in the Atlantic Ocean. When we are in Pawleys Island, we walk every day on the beach and near the connecting marsh to enjoy the natural beauty and energies of these sacred spaces. We do not appreciate our home and financial investment being threatened by offshore drilling and the detrimental effects it will bring to our community. We spend thousands of dollars per year in real estate taxes for this condo located in Georgetown County. When we are living in Pawleys Island, we spend money at various local businesses thus supporting people’s livelihoods throughout the local economy.

We have made many friends in Pawleys Island, SC and they come from the entire east coast of the United States, Tennessee, and Canada. Most of these regular tourists have been visiting this coastal community for the past 25+ years. Some of these people come here to escape the cold winters up north while other people come here to rest, relax, and enjoy the beauty and the benefits of a coastal environment – swimming, fishing, water sports, restaurants, shopping, history, Brookgreen Gardens, Huntington Beach State Park, etc. Second and third generations of families meet and vacation here at Pawleys Island. All of these people spend a tremendous amount of money in the local economy supporting local businesses which will decrease significantly if this area turns into an oil town. Furthermore, this local community that is totally dependent on tourism dollars based on the benefits of the Atlantic Ocean could never recover from an oil spill.

Seismic testing which is the first step to assess oil deposits in the ocean floor will harm marine life by disrupting the sound waves that these creatures use to communicate with one another, to locate food sources, and to pro-create. Seismic testing will kill a percentage of whales, dolphins, sea turtles, sharks, fish, etc. Once an oil spill occurs, which is guaranteed to happen, everyone from human beings, to marine life, to water birds, etc. will suffer the consequences. It is unacceptable in this day and age to continue drilling for oil and destroying our planet when gas and oil companies should have invested in clean, green, renewable, sustainable energy 40 years ago. We have experienced first hand the impact of global warming caused by fossil fuel consumption creating stronger, more dangerous storms threatening our ocean front condo for the past 5 years. In the past 3 years, we have experienced significant flooding, stronger storm surges, hurricanes, and significant beach erosion at Pawleys Island, SC.

As a tourist, I have vacationed at Virginia Beach, VA; Outer Banks, NC; Emerald Island, NC; Sea Island, GA; and Ft. Lauderdale, FL. As a tourist and a customer, I would never choose to visit a location where oil rigs sit off of the coast threatening our natural habitats, local residents, local businesses, and my purpose for visiting these special places. These ocean front communities provide sanctuaries to rejuvenate my body, mind, and spirit. I implore the BOEM to stop offshore drilling in the Atlantic Ocean which is an egregious crime against our natural environment and humanity. Enough is enough!