COLUMBIA, S.C. _ Ignoring objections from South Carolina residents, politicians, and government agencies, the Trump administration is moving forward with its intent to conduct seismic tests for oil off the Atlantic Coast.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued a ruling Monday that overruled efforts in South Carolina to stop seismic testing for oil. NOAA, an agency in the U.S. Department of Commerce, is letting applications to conduct geological and geophysical seismic surveys for oil and gas along the South Carolina coast move forward.
NOAA's ruling said searching for oil is in the "national interest and 'outweighs any potential short-term, limited, and localized adverse coastal effects to fisheries and sea turtles,'" postandcourier.com reported.
The homepage of NOAA's website promotes Sea Turtle Week 2020 and celebrates conservation. And the agency previously said that an analysis showed about 90% of the South Carolina waters proposed to be opened to drilling are
The ruling was made in spite of unanimous opposition to offshore seismic testing that was expressed during the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control's open comment period, S.C. Sen. Chip Campsen, R-Charleston, said in a news release.
"Almost one year ago I recruited over half our state's senators in a bipartisan fashion to co-sign a letter in opposition to seismic testing. DHEC sided with us and found the activity inconsistent with our state's coastal management plan," Campsen said in the release. "I am very disappointed NOAA rejected that finding. But this fight is not over. It will continue on several fronts."
Last year, a budget proviso that prohibits drilling and seismic testing infrastructure on the South Carolina coastline was introduced by Campsen and signed by Gov. Henry McMaster. McMaster said he's voiced opposition to offshore drilling with the Trump administration.
There has been legal wrangling since the Trump administration reversed a decision by former President Barack Obama's administration to prevent drilling.
It has involved South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, who said "this case is vital to South Carolina and its beautiful coastline and natural resources."
The prospect of offshore drilling has incensed coastal leaders, many politicians and environmentalists in South Carolina, a state heavily dependent on seaside tourism in communities like Myrtle Beach, Folly Beach and Hilton Head Island. Tourism would be jeopardized by pollution from oil spills and industrialization of the coast if oil rigs are allowed off the state's beaches, critics say.
Boosters of oil-drilling say it would be good for South Carolina's economy, producing hundreds of thousands of jobs. They say it could be done without hurting the environment.
