Opposition to seismic testing voiced at St. Augustine rally
Posted: March 7, 2015 - 7:40pm
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DARON.DEAN@STAUGUSTINE.COM Participants in the March for Ocean Justice cross Cathedral Place after waling over the Bridge of Lions on their way to City Hall Saturday afternoon, March 7, 2015.
By STUART KORFHAGE
stuart.korfhage@staugustine.com
Marching, chanting, waving and beating drums, protesters took to the streets of St. Augustine on Saturday.
Although it was the same ground traveled by those demanding civil rights 50 years ago, Saturday’s protesters were not re-enacting a historic event. They were there to fight a very modern issue: Seismic testing in the Atlantic Ocean.
In an event presented by the city, several hundred concerned citizens and members of environmental groups marched from the Bridge of Lions, through the Plaza de la Constitucion and eventually to the Lightner Museum that houses City Hall.
There, several leaders, including local politicians, professed their concern at the federal government’s decision to allow seismic testing offshore in the search for oil.
“We’re here to urge President Obama to reconsider the decision to open up the Atlantic basin to seismic testing and drilling,” said Bill Hamilton of the Environmental Youth Council.
The fear is that the testing and possible extraction of oil will have harmful effects on wildlife. Of great concern is the population of right whales, which use the waters off the North Florida Coast as their breeding ground. The species is endangered.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reports that it is believed the western North Atlantic population numbers about 450 individual right whales.
St. Augustine Mayor Nancy Shaver mentioned the right whales in her remarks to the crowd. The animals are beloved here as many volunteer their time to record sightings every year.
“As many of you here know, monitoring the calves and the moms of the right whales that come down our coast is something we take care of. We care,” Shaver said. “What we’re saying to the federal government, quite simply is this: Don’t open this door. Keep this door shut.”
Shaver was joined by fellow commissioner Roxanne Horvath and St. Augustine Beach Mayor Andrea Samuels. Also participating were Fernandina Vice-Mayor Johnny Miller and New Smyrna Beach Commissioner Jake Sachs.
Shaver helped organize Saturday’s event as a complement to the St. Augustine City Commission’s resolution that was passed in April 2014.
The resolution reads, in part: “St. Augustine stands opposed to seismic testing in Atlantic Ocean waters until the complete evaluation of all testing options and the implementation of all proper assurances for protection of marine life.”
Shaver said she was thrilled to see so many people who care about the health of the ocean.
“I would like to think it says we are a city that is thoughtful and cares,” she said of the participation. “Our commission took a clear stand. I think this reinforces it.”
Among the attendees was Neil Armingeon, who is the Matanzas Riverkeeper. He said people need to understand that too much disruption to the marine ecosystem, even it’s 50 or more miles away, can have a dramatic effect here.
“If we remain silent, it will happen,” he said. “I’m proud of this community for coming together for (this cause).”
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