Save the Outer Banks
Your action and our advocacy helped defeat a bill in the NC General Assembly that promoted oil drilling off Cape Hatteras. Now we're redoubling efforts to permanently protect the Outer Banks and the rest of our beaches for future generations.
Our barrier islands, under siege
From Cape Hatteras to Ocracoke to Cape Lookout, the Outer Banks are among the nation’s most famous beaches.
Drawing more than 7 million visitors every year, the Outer Banks and the rest of our barrier islands give us a chance to swim, fish, surf, or catch a glimpse of hatching sea turtles. They also support a thriving fishing and tourist economy.
A renewed push to drill off the Outer Banks
With support from members and supporters, Environment North Carolina helped win temporary protections for our coast from offshore drilling in 2011 until 2017. But that hasn’t stopped oil companies and the NC General Assembly from promoting drilling even near our most pristine beaches.
They have their sights set off the coast of Cape Hatteras, home to more marine life — including sea turtles, dolphins, and whales — than most places in the world. Ancient deepwater coral reefs off of Wrightsville Beach may also be a target. Given the BP disaster, these are the last places we should allow drilling.
There are some places just too precious to drill. If enough of us come together, we can protect the Outer Banks for future generations.
"Rush to drill" comes to a halt
In June 2011, at the urging of Environment North Carolina and allied groups across the state, then-Gov. Bev Perdue vetoed the pro-drilling Senate Bill 709.
The bill, introduced on the one-year anniversary of the Gulf spill by Sen. Bob Rucho, promoted opening North Carolina's Outer Banks and the rest of our fragile coastal areas to oil and gas drilling.
After repeatedly failing to garner enough votes to override the veto, legislative leaders finally let their drill, baby, drill bill languish—for now.
We at Environment North Carolina will continue to stand up for our beaches, and press for permanent protections for our coast.
Email the governor today, and join our campaign to protect our beaches.
Urge your leaders in Raleigh to protect the Outer Banks, and all our beaches, from drilling.
Key Facts
- Our studies show that clean beaches and healthy fish create $4 for every $1 from drilling.
- Endangered sea turtles, whales and dolphins live off the coast of the Outer Banks.
- The Outer Banks draw more than 7 million visitors every year.
- Together with our allies, we convinced the Obama administration to abandon plans to drill off the Outer Banks, and all our shores.