The When & If of Seismic Surveying
By Kip Tabb
Mid Atlantic areas that will be available for energy lease, including wind and gas and oil.
One of the Issues that came up during the Wednesday meeting in Nags Head sponsored by Not the Answer NC was whether seismic surveying could start immediately—or if not immediately, this summer after the migratory season for whales had passed.
The feeling in the room was that permits had been issued and final approval was waiting North Carolina consent.
Although approval of any seismic surveying will require both Federal and state permits, at this point in time, no permits have been issued and there will be none this year.The confusion probably is a result of complex terminology and a process that is mind numbing in its intricacy.
In July of 2014, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), the Federal agency that oversees development of energy resources in US oceans, issued a Record of Decision (ROD) that provided guidelines for companies that would be seeking permits to engage in geological and geophysical (G&G) surveying—the official label given seismic mapping activity. A ROD is not a permit and does not give anyone permission to begin surveying. “The decision does not authorize G&G activities but instead provides a framework for strong mitigation measures to protect marine life,” is the language used on the BOEM website.
For any G&G surveying to occur, companies must provide an Environmental Impact Statement covering the area in which the activity will occur. There are currently nine area being assessed for G&G surveying. There is a map of the proposed G&G sites on the BOEM website. Click here to go to the map.
It is important to note that not all G&G surveying uses the the level of sound waves that have raised concerns about harmful affects in marine life. Only one area along the Atlantic seaboard is currently seeking a permit for a 3D scan—the type of seismic survey that is considered most likely to harm marine life.
For Outer Banks residents it is important to note that survey plat is off the North Carolina coast.
There are a series of G&G public meetings scheduled:
Norfolk, Virginia: Tuesday, March 31, 2015, Double Tree, 1500 N. Military Highway, Norfolk, Virginia 23502; one meeting from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. EDT and the second meeting from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. EDT.
Annapolis, Maryland: Wednesday, April 1, 2015, Doubletree by Hilton Annapolis 210 Holiday Court Annapolis, Maryland 21401; one meeting from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. EDT and the second meeting from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. EDT.
Dover, Delaware: Thursday, April 2, 2015, Dover Hilton, 1706 North Dupont Highway, Dover, Delaware 19901; one meeting from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. EDT and the second meeting from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. EDT.
Wilmington, North Carolina: Tuesday, April 7, 2015, Hilton Wilmington Riverside, 301 North Water Street, Wilmington, North Carolina 28401; one meeting from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. EDT and the second meeting from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. EDT.
Charleston, South Carolina: Wednesday, April 8, 2015, Embassy Suites North Charleston-Airport/Hotel & Convention, 5055 International Boulevard, North Charleston, South Carolina 29418; one meeting from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. EDT and the second meeting from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. EDT.
Savannah, Georgia: Thursday, April 9, 2015, Hilton Garden Inn Savannah Midtown, 5711 Abercorn Street, Savannah, Georgia 31405; one meeting from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. EDT and the second meeting from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. EDT.
