# Proposed 20.6 Million Acre sale in the Western Gulf is Premature, Will Harm Valuable Gulf Ecosystems

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/09/deepwater-oil-spill-impact-on-gulf-conservation-efforts/
- Published: 2011-09-04T16:05:58-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

## Deepwater Oil Spill proposed 20.6 Million Acre sale in the Western Gulf is Premature. Will Harm Valuable Gulf Ecosystems

So after the BP oil spill at Deepwater Horizon. Now the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management,
Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) announced its intent to open more than 20 million
acres. All in the Western Gulf of Mexico. More ocean for new oil and gas exploration
and development.

## Lease vs Ecosystem

Oceana has publicly stated that rushing this lease sale puts marine ecosystems at
risk of another oil spill. Especially before the ink is even dry on the impacts 
of the [BP spill](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/02/james-cameron-calls-bp-gulf-oil-spill-ongoing-environmental-horror-2/).
Moreover, BOEMRE still hasn’t fully assessed the environmental impacts. Therefore,
there are major shortcomings in spill response and cleanup capabilities.

![BOEM spill deepwater](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/
2023/03/67D5F276-6022-4C07-9FD6-E26F35EE7907.png?resize=235%2C111&quality=50&ssl
=1)

### BOEMRE

First of all, BOEMRE appears to be caving to intense pressure from the oil industry
to return to ‘business as usual’.  For that’s without regard for the extraordinary
risks to already imperiled marine animals. This was said by Jacqueline Savitz. Jacqueline
is senior campaign director for international ocean conservation group Oceana.

![20 million acres in the western gulf](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-
content/uploads/2023/03/2524C90D-C252-4399-9B8A-15F053102318.jpeg?resize=300%2C197&
quality=89&ssl=1)

#### Reports

Reports following the Deepwater Horizon spill highlighted the impacts on already
struggling species. For that’s such as endangered sea turtles. Many commercially
important fish were spawning at the time of the spill. In addition, studies to measure
the impacts have not yet been completed.  So until the status of those populations
is clarified. For it’s impossible to determine the impacts of this lease sale. This
is a step required prior to the sale.

Moreover, BOEMRE is relying on an extremely out-of-date spill risk analysis from
the year 2000. All which was written long before the Deepwater Horizon accident.
That’s before [deepwater drilling](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/05/deepwater-drilling-after-the-horizon-disaster/)
became as common as it is today.  

In addition, BOEMRE also neglects to account for the increased risk of blowouts 
and spills. Those that are likely when drilling in “frontier areas”.  I mean that’s
according to the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. Moreover,
the Commission defined “frontier areas”. All to include deepwater and ultra-deepwater
environments. For that’s such as those that would be included in the lease sale.

#### Oceana

Most noteworthy, Oceana urges the Administration not to proceed with this lease 
sale. Especially until the impacts of the Deepwater Horizon spill are better understood.
All until we improve our readiness to prevent and respond to major oil spills.

Source: [BOEM](https://www.boem.gov/newsroom/press-releases/boem-publishes-final-notice-sale-gulf-mexico-oil-and-gas-lease-sale)

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 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric
Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green
Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For 
Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke #
Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power
System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow.

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