Rep. Davis to Give Interior Dept. Floridians’ Testimony on Drilling

 

TALLAHASSEE,  FL – On Monday, at Congressman Jim Davis’ public meeting in Tampa, nearly 100 Floridians voiced their concerns about the U.S. Department of Interior Mineral Management Service’s plan to open the Eastern Gulf of Mexico to oil and gas drilling.  Today, Rep. Davis will share their testimony (selected quotes below) with the Minerals Management Service (MMS) at their public meeting in Tallahassee.  The meeting is scheduled for 1:00pm at the Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center, located at 505 West Pensacola Street.  Click here to read Rep. Davis’ cover letter to MMS Director R.M. Burton. 

 

Rep. Davis hosted his meeting on Monday to allow Tampa Bay residents, and those from beach communities, to participate in the debate over offshore drilling.  The crowd included small business owners, local business leaders, environmentalists and local government officials – many who spoke passionately about the importance of protecting our beaches.  A videotape of the meeting, as well as written comments collected that day will be submitted today to MMS’s official record of public comments on the proposed plan.

 

In February, MMS released a draft five year plan for drilling activities in the Outer Continental Shelf.  In addition to allowing drilling in the Eastern Gulf , the proposal would severely limit Florida’s ability to object to proposed drilling projects off our shores.

 

MMS has conducted numerous public meetings to discuss the plan in pro-drilling states like Alaska, Texas, Louisiana and Alabama.  However, today’s meeting in is the only one scheduled in Florida. 

 

Davis is the House sponsor of the Permanent Protection for Florida Act, legislation to permanently shield Florida’s coasts from the hazards of offshore oil and gas drilling.

 

Below are some comments from Rep. Davis’ public meeting:

 

“I strongly oppose drilling off the coast of Florida.  Not only would it devastate our marine ecologies, but our economy as well.”  Amy Moore, native Floridian

 

“As President of the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber, which is the largest tourism Chamber in Pinellas County, I represent hundreds of businesses.  These businesses rely on tourism and already deal with hurricanes and red tide and increasing property taxes.  Drilling would further impact these same people.  We say no to oil drilling in area 181.”  Missy H. Pike, President, Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce

 

“On behalf of our 30,000 Florida members, we oppose the proposed drilling in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico…. Drilling in the Gulf could mean the death of our way of life along our Florida coasts.  From mom and pop rentals, to condominiums, restaurants, hotels – our economy utterly depends upon return visits to our unspoiled shores.”  Philip Compton, Florida Consumer Action Network (FCAN)

 

“We must protect our tourism industry and our coastline.”  Jessica Eilerman, St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce