Letter below from Georgia Ackerman, Riverkeeper and Executive Director read to Senator Bill Montford and Representative Jason Shoaf at recent legislative delegation meeting in Apalachicola (9/23/19).  
Georgia also shared similar comments at the legislative delegation meeting in Bristol. Â
Here is the summary handout that was also shared.Â
More background details on oil drilling here.
September 23, 2019
Thank you both for your public service by representing us at the Florida Legislature. We appreciate Senator Montford’s many years of service and congratulate Mr. Shoaf on his recent election. We look forward to working with each of you this session.
As you know, the Apalachicola River basin is recognized as one of the most ecologically biodiverse regions of North America with numerous, significant special designations.
Likewise, the ecology and the economy of our region are inextricably connected.Â
In the upcoming legislative session, I’d urge you to work collaboratively to protect our region’s natural resources, as this is an investment in our children’s future.
Specifically, I’d ask that the state’s Department of Environmental Protection be provided with the tools and resources needed to ensure water quality protection for the region.
Additionally, I’d ask you to protect the region against onshore oil and gas drilling. Currently, there are 6 exploratory oil wells proposed in the Apalachicola River Basin between Dead Lakes, the Chipola River and the Apalachicola River. These 6 proposed exploratory oil wells (Cholla Petroleum), if approved, would drill over 12,000 feet underground in effort to find commercially viable oil.
Nearby our watershed and connected by the intracoastal, there is also one exploratory oil well proposed in Gulf County west of Dead Lakes near Wetappo Creek (Spooner Petroleum).
An oil field in the floodplain presents significant ecological and economic threats to the region, especially to downstream communities such as Port St. Joe and Apalachicola.
We also don’t know what mode of transportation would be utilized to transport crude to refineries in the event of an oil field being established. (Pipeline, barges, tanker trucks?)
Please stay informed on the topic, as DEP is expected to make a decision on these permits in next few weeks.
Apalachicola Riverkeeper and others have submitted comments of opposition to the exploratory oil weeks proposed upstream in Calhoun County and our full comments can be found on our website.
Drilling oil wells poses a real threat to the health and recovery of the Apalachicola River, the floodplain and Apalachicola Bay. The risk of damage to water quality, biologic and geologic integrity of the ecosystem from drilling along with the toxic substances used in drilling wells, far exceeds any benefits that a small number of property owners and an oil company will gain. These are not in the public interest for those of us that use and care for the Apalachicola River.
Again, thank you for your public service and leadership.
Respectfully,
Georgia Ackerman
Riverkeeper and Executive Director