MARCH FOR OCEAN JUSTICE: Another Bridge, Another March, 50 Years Later -- Halt Seismic Oil Exploration. NOW.

Mayor Nancy Shaver will lead 20 mayors across our St. Augustine Bridge of Lions tomorrow in support of halting seismic oil exploration that will kill endangered right whales and other sea creatures. The testing is a clear and present danger to our sea life and our coast. The march begins at the eastern end of the Bridge of Lions at 11:30, followed by a joint meeting of the 20 mayors at 12:30.

Three cheers!





City Press release
March and media conference set to
reaffirm opposition to seismic testing
Event scheduled for Saturday, March 7

Nearly a year ago, the St. Augustine City Commission adopted a resolution making known its opposition “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.”

On Saturday, March 7, the city will reaffirm that opposition with a March for Ocean Justice to City Hall followed by a media conference where St. Augustine Mayor Nancy Shaver will be joined by representatives from other municipalities that have taken a similar stand.

The press conference will start at 12:30pm in front of City Hall, 75 King St. The March for Ocean Justice preceding the media conference and organized by the Environmental Youth Council (EYC), will commence at 11:30am on the east side of the Bridge of Lions and end at City Hall.

Mayor Shaver has invited the mayors of nearly 20 coastal cities in Florida and southeast Georgia to join her at the media conference to reaffirm their municipalities’ stance opposing seismic testing in waters off the coast of the two states as expressed in resolutions adopted by commissions.

Florida municipalities whose mayors were invited to participate represent Atlantic Beach, Cape Canaveral, Cocoa Beach, Fernandina Beach, Indialantic, Indian Harbor Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Jacksonville, Melbourne Beach, Melbourne, Neptune Beach, New Smyrna Beach, Satellite Beach, St. Augustine Beach, St. Petersburg. Additionally, mayors from two cities in Georgia, St. Mary's and Tybee Island, have also been invited. Additionally, Katie Ross, NE Florida Aide for US Senator Bill Nelson will also attend to share a statement from the Senator.

Other organizations joining the EYC in the March for Ocean Justice are Friends of Matanzas, SALSA of St. Augustine, South Anastasia Community Association, Center for Biological Diversity, Florida Wildlife Federation, and the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of St. Augustine.

For more information regarding the media conference’s topic, contact Bill Hamilton at 904.808.0254 or via email at gwhiii@bellsouth.net.

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Text of the City of St. Augustine’s Resolution
No. 2014-12 adopted on April 14, 2014

A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of St. Augustine, Florida Opposing Seismic Air Gun Testing in The Atlantic Ocean

Whereas, the United States Department of the Interior has endorsed seismic testing in Atlantic Ocean waters, a first step toward allowing oil and gas drilling from Delaware Bay to Cape Canaveral; and

Whereas, the proposed seismic testing would use air guns firing intense blasts of compressed air over extended time periods and could prove harmful to or injure and kill marine mammals and fish; and

Whereas, the City of St. Augustine recognizes that tourism related to a healthy and vibrant coastal environment serves as a major economic force benefiting the residents, property owners and visitors of the City; and

Whereas, the City of St. Augustine understands that conclusions as to the full impact of the effects of seismic testing and the options for mitigation of these impacts require additional research;

Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved by the City Commission of the City of St. Augustine, Florida, as follows:

That the City of 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.