Comment from Richardson, Dan
Dan RichardsonOpposeIndividual
Summary: A local resident, fisherman, and biologist opposes the offshore mining proposal due to concerns about environmental damage to the Eastern Shore's fragile ecosystem. The commenter argues that mining will disrupt marine life and marshes, undermining decades of conservation efforts for the benefit of profit-driven entities.
As a resident of Accomack county, fisherman and biologist with a degree from ODU, this proposal to mine offshore the eastern shore of Virginia seems to go against everything that the people of the shore and government of Virginia and the Federals have tried to accomplish for many decades. The ESVA is a fragile, constantly changing ecosystem that is greatly influenced by the barrier islands, tidal movements and storm surges/energy. The barrier islands have greatly been preserved by the Nature Conservancy and the government has put in place wildlife refuges to help future generations enjoy this unique environment within the US. Substantial bottom mining efforts will unleash unknown quantities of long laying sediments, disrupting marine life and adding unknown quantities of particulate matter to assault the fragile marshes and wildlife along the eastern shore. These areas are enjoyed by people who appreciate the efforts made to keep them unspoiled. Why would we want to undercut decades of effort and expense by the taxpayers? It seems that for profit entities would benefit, while residents and tourists would bear the brunt of any negative impacts. Please refrain from this project.