Trump+would+open+nearly+all+U.S+waters+to+drilling.

Trump would open nearly all U.S waters to drilling. But will they drill?

New York Times Climate January 23, 2016 by: Hiroko Tabuchi and Tim Wallace []

President Trump’s administration wants to open drilling to nearly all coastal water in the U.S, this would throw years of efforts to balance our energy needs with the protection and conservation of our coastal waters. Florida’s Governor posed a question to the Administration asking why they thought that Florida had more potential for oil than California, The Governor of South Carolina also posed a similar question stating that going through with this “would pose to the unspoiled beauty of his state’s beaches. 15 out of the 22 states governors are opposed to drilling on their coastal waters. Oil rich western areas like Mexico have been open to drilling for decades while most other areas are protected.(There are 3 maps at the bottom of the page showing drilling areas after each president's term). Under Trump’s new plan 25 out of 26 regions would be open to drilling. Estimates show that Trump’s new plan holds 45 billion barrels of oil, 21 billion would be economically recoverable at $60 a barrel. Taking in account the risks of building new wells and the possibility of a change in policy hopefully this won't be happening too soon.

How is this article related to the course? This information is directly related to our Aquatic Ecology(pgs.186-204), In the book we covered the importance of Saltwater life zones because they cover 71% of the earth's surface, they play a major role in the hydrologic cycle, reservoir for carbon dioxide. Specifically the coastal zone holds 90% of marine life and Trump’s plan would put those nutrient rich water in harm's way in the event that something goes wrong. Estuaries, Coastal Wetlands, Mangrove swamps, rocky and sandy shores, barrier Islands and coral reefs would all be in harm's way(pgs.189-190). We covered the importance of coastal zones and the impact we have on them and the health of the organisms that inhabit this place(pgs.191-196)

My Opinion I thinks it’s ridiculous that this plan was even open for the public to see, I think its stupid that Trump’s administration even conjured this plan up. I do understand opening up new regions for drilling and the economical gain that would be open to the U.S but I don't believe that opening up 25 out of 26 regions is smart or taking into consideration the detrimental effects it would have on coastal zones if anything went wrong. I think they should also evaluate what would happen to the economy of certain states if oil was flooding their beaches, South Carolina's beaches and coastal zones bring in 15 million people a year if these areas were damaged the economic effects would be devastating. So my stance is that this idea is ridiculous and should be thrown out right now.

Law National Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 - Plans to preserve, protect, develop, and where possible, to restore or enhance, the resources of the Nation's coastal zone for the present and succeeding generations.

[[image:https://static01.nyt.com/newsgraphics/2018/01/16/offshore-drilling/5fd70efd126db06de3dffa0d4c34b5d20c61f56a/topthree-Artboard_3.jpg width="990" height="306" caption="Left: Bush, Middle: Obama, Right: Trumps plan In blue is the areas open to drilling."]]