Here is how the environmental impact report describes the project:
“The offshore component of the Project would consist of operating a geophysical survey 29 vessel, its associated survey equipment, and support/monitoring vessels . … The survey would be conducted along the central coast from approximately Cambria to Guadalupe (including marine protected areas around Cambria and elsewhere). … 18 active air guns ... would discharge once every 15 to 20 seconds.”
In other words, huge underwater canons would blast ear-shattering sounds under the water in an area from Guadalupe to Marin County. (These same measures are used to search for offshore oil reserves.)
The environmental impact report indicates these tests would kill or injure marine mammals, including seals, dolphins, whales and otters. They could make them go deaf which would mean a lingering death. Already depleted fishing resources would be impacted. Seabirds would be affected as well, with little or no way of mitigating the impacts. Migratory birds would be affected as the tests would go on 24 hours a day and lights at night would be required. Air quality would be impacted and the project would contribute to climate change.
The ocean is our most precious resource. If the life of the ocean does not matter then neither do our lives. Some few persons stand to make lots of money from this outrageous project. PG&E will pass on the costs to us, the consumers. We and all life in the ocean and the land around us stand to lose. And for what?
The project will not prevent the next earthquake. And if it happens and Diablo crashes, so do we. Think of the economic impact of such a disaster. A recent issue of The Economist has on its front cover a statement that says the dream of nuclear power has become a nightmare. It is time to put our resources into safe energy and move away from nuclear power. Please sign this petition AND write your comments against this outrage to:
Mark W. Stone – Central Coast Representative
701 Ocean Street, Room 500
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 454-2200
(831) 454-3262 fax
mark.stone@co.santa-cruz.ca.us
California Coastal Commission
45 Fremont Street
Suite 2000
San Francisco, CA 94105-2219
(415) 904-5200
FAX (415) 904-5400
The link to each of the Coastal Commissioners’ contact info can be found at: www.coastal.ca.gov/roster.html
- Note: Coastal Commission written comments on PGE’s permit application are due by no later than November 11; comments must be faxed or mailed, not accepted by email.
FOR LATEST INFORMATION PLEASE GO TO STOP THE DIABLO CANYON SEISMIC TESTING PROJECT AT
C.O.A.S.T.- Citizens Opposing Acoustic Seismic Testing
www.stopoceanblasting.org
