We can all agree on no oil drilling

Many of us in the Panhandle voted recently based on the promise of decreased food costs and increased global security through American energy resurgence. We felt we could no longer pay the price at the grocery store for the high cost of petroleum-derived fertilizers and the diesel that farmers must use to raise and sell crops and livestock.

Our neighbors were equally concerned about what they view as an existential threat due to manmade climate change caused by burning fossil fuels. They firmly believed when they cast their ballots that global agreements to lower the use of fossil fuels worldwide are critical to saving the world’s environment, even if they cause higher food and gas prices.

Whichever side of the fence you came down on, here in Franklin and Gulf counties, we stand united against one thing: wildcat drilling in the Apalachicola River Basin. The area targeted by the oil company is the floodplain between the Apalachicola River, the southern Dead Lakes, and downstream into the Chipola River.

The threat to Franklin County’s way of life and economy, which revolve almost completely around the river system and bay, is obvious. Toxic spills from drilling would devastate a unique environmental area that millions of Florida taxpayer dollars have been spent to preserve. 

The threat to Gulf County is just as significant. Wewahitchka is the closest town downstream of the proposed oil well sites, and its fishing and tourist industries are at risk. Port St. Joe’s drinking water comes from the Chipola River. Tupelo honey, exclusively produced from this region, would be threatened by air and water toxins released during drilling.

With high risks from flooding and hurricanes, few other areas are so vulnerable. Until we have reasonable alternatives to fossil fuels, we must drill. But we can be prudent about where we drill. Devastating economic costs to communities and the risk of destroying fragile, irreplaceable ecosystems must be part of the equation when deciding where drilling is in the public interest and where it is not.

This letter is to those on both sides of the fossil fuel fence. The fence is now in our backyard. The court date for the Apalachicola Riverkeeper’s challenge to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s permit to drill goes before a judge on Dec. 9. The oil company has started with just one well permit, but even before that has been settled in court, they are asking Calhoun County to extend their leases on five more drilling sites. 

If we lose in December, the fight will continue, but only if you get off the fence and help. Visit www.killthedrillfl.org for more information on how to get involved.

Deb Mays

Gulf County Citizens Coalition