(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—Today the National Marine Fisheries Service authorized five companies to conduct seismic blasting off a large area of the Atlantic Coast to search for oil and gas reserves. These surveys are precursor to offshore drilling. Chesapeake Bay Foundation Vice President for Environmental Protection and Restoration Lisa Feldt issued the following statement.
"Allowing seismic blasting off the coasts of Maryland and Virginia is an unacceptable step towards drilling for oil and gas. Offshore drilling in our region would pose far too many risks to the health of coastal waters and the Chesapeake Bay, fishing, aquaculture, tourism, and all jobs that depend on clean water.
"The governors of both Maryland and Virginia strongly oppose offshore drilling, and communities across the region have passed resolutions against it. We need to run away from offshore drilling, not move towards it."
