The Daily Tar Heel
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The Daily Tar Heel

Letter: ?North Carolina’s coast is in real danger

TO THE EDITOR:

Through a UNC program, I will have the opportunity to be studying and conducting research on the North Carolina coast in the fall. While there, the debate over offshore drilling is going to be not just a news story but an everyday reality. I’m going to be interacting with the locals there whose businesses, lives and homes could be severely impacted by the effects of offshore drilling.

Seismic testing for oil and gas is likely to start in the next year and a half. A pit forms in my stomach and a rage grows in my head as I hear our state representatives going on about the benefits of offshore drilling. How many times must we see tragic stories of oil spills, chemical leaks and waste dumping before policies become preventative, not reactionary?

As McClatchy News’ Feb. 20 article “Governors expect Atlantic coast seismic testing for oil and gas in about 18 months” points out, there has been some opposition from the scientists and coastal citizens. But, this opposition needs to get louder and it needs to happen fast to have any chance in stopping drilling plans. 

This means citizens across the state must take action in this fight and speak up about their opposition to offshore drilling. I hope that my time on the coast is spent appreciating the beautiful scenery, not fearful for its future.

Holly Rose Roberts

Junior

Environmental Studies

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