No Offshore Drilling Off NC Coasts
The Outer Banks Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation
May 16th, 2006

The Outer Banks Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation is unequivocally opposed to any offshore oil or gas drilling along the North Carolina Coast, and any Coastal Environment within the United States of America. In our opinion, the search for non-renewable fossil fuels is a waste of capital, short sighted in scope and an open invitation for environmental catastrophe. Our reasons are as follows:

• Natural gas production along our coasts is a non-renewable energy source that does little to address the long-term energy needs of our Country. We feel that it would be more ecologically responsible to pursue non-polluting sources of renewable energy through NC Green Power's solar, wind and biomass energy production projects. These sources of energy do not pose a risk to our environmental health or livelihoods.


• Offshore drilling poses a major threat to our environmental health, public health and natural resources that make Dare County such a great place to live and vacation. Should there be a spill, our offshore fisheries, coastlines and public health would be in jeopardy. Dare County citizens should not be placed at risk for such potential disaster that would destroy our quality of life, recreational activities, livelihoods or status as a premier tourist destination.


• The revenue to be gained from offshore drilling would benefit special interest groups within the fossil fuels industry and little economic benefit would make its way into the community of Dare County. As residents of Dare County, we would assume all risks to environmental disaster, while we would benefit the least from such activities.


• The seas of the Outer Banks are extremely volatile, storm-prone and treacherous which makes the construction of oil platforms a foolish venture. History has dubbed our coastline the 'Graveyard of the Atlantic' and for due cause: this coastline produces frequent high winds, potent Nor'easter and savage hurricanes. Also, the platforms would have to be located in deep water with strong prevailing currents, all of which contribute to the the likelihood of platform failure and oil spills.

As advocates for responsible environmental stewardship of our oceans, the Outer Banks Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation is vehemently opposed to ANY offshore drilling along the North Carolina Coast. We need not look at the past two hurricane seasons of proof of the environmental catastrophe that awaits our coastal waters if we build oil platforms off our coast. Katrina and Ivan along leaked millions of gallons of pollutants into the gulf of Mexico. We do not want our coasts to be the next victim of environmental degradation at the hand of large oil companies.

Dare County Beach-Fill Resolution
The Outer Banks Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation
December 12th, 2005 Historical Background:
In the 1930's an artificial dune line was created covering most of the Outer Banks - from the Virginia border to Hatteras Inlet. Prior to this time most of the Outer Banks was subject to ocean-to-sound over wash and storm flooding. The combination of this artificial dune line and the planting of many different types of vegetation stabilized these islands, reduced the wind born transport of sand and created an area that could be developed.

The Issue:
Increasing development of our beaches, the threatening of state and local infrastructure assets and a perceived threat to the economic basis of our local economy have forced local officials and other stake holders to find a solution to the problems of coastal beach erosion in the form of beach-fill projects.

Our Viewpoint:
The Surfrider Foundation is working proactively to promote conservation and responsible coastal management that avoids the creation of coastal hazards or erosion problems. We believe that the construction of new structures (especially those located in relatively high erosion areas or "hot spots") close to a dynamic coastal environment should be avoided. Complex issues arise when naturally dynamic coastal processes encounter static human development and when humans interfere with marine and littoral systems. In areas where structures already exist, all alternatives to beach-fill projects should be carefully considered in a scientific manner. Landward retreat may be a cost effective, long term solution that should be fully considered. We believe that our elected officials should be stewards of our unique environment, as well as our economy, and that these policies may actually compliment each other. We believe that policy makers should adopt a sustainable long term solution that recognizes the effects of these decisions on the environment and future generations.

The risks and actual costs associated with engaging in some beach-fill projects may be higher than previously recognized. These include: negative effects on near shore fish habitat and the surf fishing economy, the potential loss of several valuable and well known surfing breaks, the possibility that sand used in beach fill project may erode faster than naturally placed sand, the continued reliance on re-fill projects as an ongoing policy that is environmentally damaging and the effects on tourism during the construction phase and during phases of re-fill.

All alternatives to beach-fill projects should be scientifically considered in terms of the environment and economy for the long term. We are concerned there have been no scientific studies conducted that address the adverse economic impact of beach-fill projects in Dare County on recreational beach activities such as surfing and surf fishing. The economic costs of continued development of structures built in high erosion areas, the reliance of local governments for tax revenue generated by these structures and an on going policy of beach-fill projects may ultimately be much higher than implementing county wide policies that discourage building in high erosion areas. If "protecting" our beaches means protecting tax revenues, the county would be prudent to diversify sources of tax revenue.