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Joined: Oct 2001
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Check the article in the "news" portion of this message board.
Offshore Exploration for Oil = DISASTER

//ambergriscaye.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/375805/Offshore_Oil_Exploration_Start.html

Joined: Feb 2010
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This is an excellent analysis of "how we got into this mess" by a US scientist from ELAW an environmental legal aid group.
<http://www.registerguard.com/csp/cms/sites/web/opinion/24780631-47/environm
ental-oil-spill-deis-impact.csp>
There are lessons for us here. But will we learn them?

Joined: Oct 2001
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A wise man and historian (whose name I have forgotten) said - "The one thing we learn from history is that we learn nothing from history".

IMHO the oil spill in the Gulf spill is what you call a "teachable moment".
We need this one in our faces NOW and we need to SAY NO NOW.

If they drill, oil will spill. Absolutely.

I encourage all of you reading this post to communicate with leaders of both PUP and UDP about this most critical issue.
The concessions for exploration were mostly signed long ago - let's not look for culprits on that point. We are all in this together. The people of Belize can say no as one. And we must say no. We must.


Joined: Oct 2003
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Diane is right, let both UDP and PUP know how you feel about this issue. If I'm not mistaken, you've got Princess Hotel consortium with rights to drill off Ambergris, but they are not the only group given a license to drill off ours shores. Its all been assigned along the coast. I feel an accident here like they are facing now in the Gulf would destroy our national psyche for good.


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"Given" a licence? Weren't these drilling rights sold?

Joined: Oct 2001
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An accident like the gulf would destroy more than our psyche - it would destroy our reef and the seabed, which would destroy our economy after which the first big storm will rip apart the coastline.
After which the temptation will be to log the place to death for some money ........
An oil rig would be the first domino in a truly fatal fall.

Joined: May 2006
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Someone told me last night rights were sole for inland and offshore drilling and it was a crazy percentage of area that could be drilled - do not remember the numbers though.


San Pedro based Belize Blog since 2007 - great travel resources & discounts https://tacogirl.com/

Joined: Aug 2000
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Seems we are biting into the earth just like the mosquitos are biting us. If it goes forward to the point of actually drilling offshore in BZ... someone deserves a mighty slap for sure.


PS. Find out what I'm up to at www.broadjam.com/barefootskinny

Your's not in the Caye of "A"
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Just for the sake of discussion, as this is a very important issue for Belize, I will play devil's advocate.
As with any decision a country must make, the risk versus reward is a determining factor. In this case it can be argued that the risk involved is not accurately assessed. Comparing the type of wells that I understand would be drilled in Belize to the deep water well in the Gulf is not a valid comparison. There are hundreds of thousands of wells drilled both on shore and off shore that have not caused a problem. And, if a problem presents itself in these more shallow wells, it is much more easily corrected without substantial harm than with the deeper wells.
As to the rewards.where would countries like Mexico, Venezuela, Trinidad, and the Arab Emirates be without there oil revenues? If there were to be substantial oil reserves found and developed in Belize, how could that change the lives in a country of 300,000 people?
I would submit that it would be irresponsible for those in power not to consider developing this resource if it exists. And, I think opposing this before getting all of the facts and understanding the issues, is premature.
Protecting the marine environment is certainly a priority. Although there has already been substantial damage done to that with the development on AC. There are many people in Belize that do not benefit from this resource like those on AC and whose lives could be improved substantially if the country had the additional resource of oil.
I can see where some of those would question why people who visit only AC, or who live on AC,
are so opposed to this option while allowing this destruction of the marine ecosystem that they profess to be so important that others be denied potential benefits because of some undetermined future harm.
Just trying to look at this from the other perspective. I can see both sides and my mind is still open - not for or against at this time.

Joined: Nov 2006
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the tanker trucks go back and forth all day long from Spanish Lookout to Mango creek.
any one know if ANY of that money finds it's way to the good of the country?
or is it just lining pockets?

edit: i have no faith in the bunch of pirates running the show.

Last edited by Barnacle; 06/02/10 08:20 AM.
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