Just on the heels of the terrible Deepwater Horizon accident in the Gulf Coast, the Department of Interior proposes to allow offshore drilling in the waters off the coast of the Mid-Atlantic. Imagine what would happen to the lives and livelihoods of the population here in Southern Delaware. We depend so heavily on tourism, fishing and agriculture that even the smallest leak could destroy our economy and lifestyle for years. Doesn’t the current falling oil price reflect the fact that we don’t need additional fossil fuel?
But before any drilling can begin, the oil companies must map the ocean floor. This might sound innocent enough, but it isn’t. It requires that the companies doing the mapping (and there will be many doing this since the data collected is very profitable when it’s sold to the oil companies) fire a seismic air cannon into the ocean with a sound decibel level of 190dB. That’s louder than a 747 jet. These cannons get fired off every 10 seconds, 24 hours a day, every day while the testing is done for up to eight years.
No one knows for sure what damage these seismic blasts will cause the underwater wildlife off the coast. But we do know that in the past these blasts have been linked to mass deaths of marine wildlife due to beaching and migration of fish to safe areas without the any guarantee of their return.
The Rehoboth Beach Homeowners’ Association board, on behalf of its 600-plus members, urges the mayor and commissioners to take a stand in opposition to offshore drilling. Please join with other local municipalities like Dewey Beach, Lewes and Ocean City, Md., that have already championed the movement to preserve our coast and lifestyle. Tell the Department of Interior we stand united against offshore testing and drilling.
Thank you,
The Board of the RBHA
Charlie Browne
Jon Worthington
Chuck Donohoe
Steve Curson
Mark Saunders
Robert Miller
Jennifer Duncan
Susan Gay
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