Hotel Vegas
Padre Island National Park Needs to Be Protected
RECEIVED Tue., Dec. 16, 2003
Most people think that national parks should be reserved for recreation, preservation of natural areas for future generations, and habitat for native species. Right under our noses, Padre Island National Seashore is currently under attack from oil and gas drilling.
Padre Island National Seashore is one of the most visited recreation areas in Texas. It is the longest unbroken barrier beach in the U.S., and the longest undeveloped barrier beach in the world. The park is home to 17 endangered or threatened species, including five kinds of sea turtles. It is one of only two major nesting sites for the Kemp ridley sea turtle, the most critically endangered sea turtle in the world.
In 2003, the National Park Service granted BNP Petroleum permits to drill inside the park. Heavy trucks roll down the beaches and puncture the dunes, setting up ugly drilling rigs that could irreparably harm the park in the event of a spill. The Kemp ridley sea turtles may not survive this assault on their nesting grounds. Vacationers looking for peace and quiet will instead hear the rumble of trucks and see the blighted terrain.
BNP Petroleum estimates that approximately 20 wells will be drilled on the seashore over the next 30 years, doing irreparable damage.
Only a federal buyout of the mineral rights at Padre Island will prevent the continuation of this assault on our park.
Padre Island National Seashore is one of the most visited recreation areas in Texas. It is the longest unbroken barrier beach in the U.S., and the longest undeveloped barrier beach in the world. The park is home to 17 endangered or threatened species, including five kinds of sea turtles. It is one of only two major nesting sites for the Kemp ridley sea turtle, the most critically endangered sea turtle in the world.
In 2003, the National Park Service granted BNP Petroleum permits to drill inside the park. Heavy trucks roll down the beaches and puncture the dunes, setting up ugly drilling rigs that could irreparably harm the park in the event of a spill. The Kemp ridley sea turtles may not survive this assault on their nesting grounds. Vacationers looking for peace and quiet will instead hear the rumble of trucks and see the blighted terrain.
BNP Petroleum estimates that approximately 20 wells will be drilled on the seashore over the next 30 years, doing irreparable damage.
Only a federal buyout of the mineral rights at Padre Island will prevent the continuation of this assault on our park.
Leslie Currens
