On Tuesday, October 6, U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel of South Carolina issued a conditional dismissal of a lawsuit on seismic testing permits, saying the case was “moot” since the permits are ending on November 30, 2020.
Five companies involved in the lawsuit needed an Incidental Harassments Authorization (IHAs), but they cannot be extended, renewed or reissued before the November deadline.
Seismic blasting is a process of loud, continuous blasts of acoustic pulses that can lead to finding oil and gas along the ocean floor. Those against seismic blasting say the blasts disrupt marine life.
South Carolina Small Business Chamber of Commerce and sixteen coastal municipalities, including Seabrook Island, were named in the suit.
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–Tidelines Editors
(Image credit: soundingsonline.com)