Chip Gill, International Association of Geophysical Contractors President, today issued the following statement regarding the Department of the Interior’s Atlantic OCS Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement:
“The release of the PEIS is an important step in the process of allowing our government to make informed policy decisions for the Atlantic based on updated assessments. Seismic and other acoustical surveys are necessary in determining where oil and gas resources are underlying the mid and south Atlantic.”
“We are evaluating the final PEIS to ensure BOEM’s framework for permitting seismic exploration and its suggested mitigation measures are proportionate to the level of risk of impact to marine life and based on sound science. The geophysical industry has over the past 40 years consistently demonstrated its ability to operate seismic exploration activities in a manner that protects marine life around the world.”