News from Washington’s Department of Ecology, speaking up for protecting Washington’s coast from offshore oil drilling.
Excerpt: This week, Ecology Director Maia Bellon submitted an official letter to the U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke strongly opposing a federal proposal to allow offshore oil and natural gas leasing on Washington’s outer continental shelf for the first time in 30 years.
Director Bellon told Zinke there was “no reasonable, rational justification” to open our coast to petroleum exploration, development and production.
“I am committed to protecting and managing our irreplaceable marine ecosystems now and for future generations,” Bellon said. “Our coastal communities and thousands of residents depend on having a healthy and productive coastal environment to maintain their livelihoods, homes, families, and quality of life.”
Read the whole story on Ecology’s ECOconnect Blog.