There are currently 1,700 MPAs, designated and managed by federal, State, territorial and local agencies. Effectively balancing oil and gas development and production while ensuring the avoidance of harm to the environment becomes an overwheling task for the Department of the Interior. Would each (MPA) exploration case be examined in a case-by-case basis and how would decisions be made. The Department of the Interior would have to make a decision as to which is the current highest priority (i) oil and gas development and production, or (ii) avoiding harm to natural and cultural resources. From an administrative standpoint is does not seem feasible to have to manage this process by each MPA or to have the responsibility placed to both explore and “avoid harm” as I do not think this would be possible.
Posted by Seth Brecher, D.C. Teaching Fellows and Masters Degree Candidate in Higher Education at George Washington University