Her's some more references about seismic testing and this PG&E project inparticular:
The local daily has supported the project editorially They did, however, put the permit story right above a picture of whales feeding locally on the front page.
Local opposition has been unanimous, a fact not reflected in the Tribune's coverage but included in the alternative weekly, New Times.
NOAA cautioned the public not to get too close to Humpback whales, one of the many species abundant in the area. “ 'In addition, whales may also suffer because disturbance and stress caused by boaters can affect their energy reserves and overall health,' the (NOAA) statement said." Apparently they are more concerned about a surfer on a paddleboard than more than a month of 24/7 250 decibel blasts every 15 seconds. NOAA and other agencies have submitted thoughtful comments on the EIR, which were ignored. A paper published this month documents the impact of much lower levels of noise on whales on the East Coast.
NOAA is proposing to expand the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.. The entire coastline is now protected under the Marine Life Protection Act, one of the several laws the testing will violate. This project raises questions as to what 'protection' means. If marine life isn't protected from such an extreme onslaught, what is it protected from? Paddleboarders?
Politicians are running for cover. Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom avoided the State Lands Commission hearing but The Snitch took him out on it.
Another good resource, Greenpeace's study of seismic surveys.
Another news report out of Peru, with a photo of dolphin carcasses along the beach.
Contact for comment to the California Coastal Commission is
Cassidy Teufel, cteufel@coastal.ca.gov,
California Coastal Commission
Energy, Ocean Resources and
Federal Consistency Division
45 Fremont St., Suite 2000
San Francisco, Ca 94105
Comments should be received prior to the October 10-12 meeting in Oceanside, when the issue is on the agenda. Focus should be on policies relating to the California Coastal Act. Chapter 3 lays out the policies.
No comments:
Post a Comment