|
NSB mayor comments on BOEM decision
In response to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s conditional approval of Shell’s Chukchi Sea exploration plan, Charlotte Brower, mayor of the North Slope Borough, said that the borough is continuing to monitor the situation regarding Shell’s offshore drilling plans. The borough has long been concerned about the prospect of oil and gas development on the Arctic outer continental shelf, in particular because of potential impacts on traditional subsistence hunting.
“OCS leasing and exploration has been a source of concern for residents of the North Slope Borough for many years,” Brower said in a Dec. 21 press release. “The NSB has been opposed to offshore drilling, but given the national and local needs for domestic sources of energy we understand why the federal government has leased the waters offshore and I will work hard to protect our subsistence resources and our way of life.”
Brower said that she would work with the state governor, state legislators and the state’s congressional delegation to ensure a balance between the economic benefits of development and the preservation of cultural and social well being.
Part of the process “It is essential to be part of the process instead of resorting to lawsuits that will only delay the inevitable,” Brower said. “By being proactive and remaining united as a group, we will protect the well being of our communities.”
Oil revenue sharing with local communities and the cumulative impacts of industrial activities need to be addressed, she said. And the borough is concerned about the handling of discharges from Chukchi Sea drilling, an issue that the borough will continue to pursue with Shell.
“There is a lot that still needs to be done before we will ever be completely comfortable with OCS development, but I want to thank Shell for continuing the dialogue and closing some of the gaps and concerns we have through funding science and public outreach,” Brower said.
Brower expressed concern about the BOEM stipulation to shorten the length of Shell’s Chukchi Sea drilling season. Reducing the number of wells that can be drilled in a single season could extend the length of Shell’s exploration program, ultimately resulting in the use of more vessels in the Chukchi Sea and potentially delaying economic benefits and jobs in the community, she said, adding that she is also concerned about possible impacts on the fall whale harvest.
“I hope BOEM remains flexible in determining the start date on which exploration can begin, considering sea ice patterns change from year to year,” Brower said.
—Alan Bailey
| 