Town of Seabrook Island Adopts Resolution: Opposing new offshore drilling and seismic blasting in S.C. waters
On Tuesday, June 10, 2025, the Town Council adopted a resolution opposing the inclusion of new offshore oil and gas leasing off the coast of South Carolina in the 11th National Outer Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program.
The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has opened a 45-day public comment period for the 11th National Oil and Gas Leasing Program. The comment period ends on June 16, 2025, and is our opportunity to tell BOEM that the town opposes new offshore drilling and seismic blasting in our South Carolina waters. This is the third time in the past 10 years that the town council has gone on record opposing offshore oil and gas exploration off the coast of South Carolina.
Why is this important to Seabrook Island?
As a vibrant beach community, Seabrook Island thrives on clean shores and healthy marine ecosystems. As a state, South Carolina’s coastal economy is heavily reliant on tourism and recreation, with this sector contributing 82% to the overall marine GDP of $5.6 billion. An oil spill would be catastrophic, jeopardizing countless jobs and billions in revenue, while irreversibly harming the pristine marine ecosystem that draws residents and visitors worldwide.
Here’s how you can submit your public comment and make a difference:
1. Through the regulations web portal (preferred): https://www.regulations.gov/document/BOEM-2025-0015-0003
2. By mail: Mail your comments in an envelope labeled “Comments for the 11th National OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program” to: Kelly Hammerle, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, VA 20166-9216
Important: Your comments must be received by June 16, 2025
For more information and to learn more about the specifics of this proposal and its potential impacts, please visit:
Oceana website: Offshore Drilling – Oceana USA
-Submitted by the Town of Seabrook Island