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State of North Carolina, 



Governor's Office, 

 Raleigh, N.C., December 16, 1911. 

 Hon. Edward M. Kennedy, 

 U.S. Senate, Senate Office Building, 

 Washington, D.C. 



Dear Senator Kennedy : Thank you very much for your letter of November 22 

 calling my attention to the need for further studies relating to environmental 

 protection associated wtih exploration for oil ofE the Atlantic Continental Shelf. 



I am attaching a copy of my letter to the Secretary of the Interior responding 

 to his telegram of November 4 informing me of his Department's plans regarding 

 off-shore oil drilling in the Atlantic and inviting me to attend a meeting to discuss 

 this subject. You will note that I recognize both our needs for additional proven 

 oil reserves and for the need to protect our environment while exploring for these 

 reserves. North Carolina's ocean-oriented coastal tourist industry and our com- 

 mercial fishing industry could hardly afford the massive damage that might be 

 associated with poorly -planned oil exploration. 



Accordingly, I am pleased to join you in urging that the National Academy of 

 Sciences and the Environmental Protection Agency carry out independent studies 

 of off-shore oil drilling, with particular emphasis on the specific conditions that 

 pertain off the Atlantic coast of the United States. I can readily see that oil 

 exploration in an environment characterized by frequent storms and common 

 high energy waves will be much different from that undertaken in the Gulf of 

 Mexico. 



The need for environmental protection measures during oil exploration was rec- 

 ognized in a bill considered by our legislature last spring and which I backed. 

 Unfortunately, this bill was not passed. Please rest assured that if such studies 

 are carried out, North Carolina will participate in them to the maximum extent 

 that she is able. 



May I express my thanks for your concern for our State's environment. 

 Cordially, 



Robert W. Scott. 



State of North Carolina, 



Governor's Office, 

 Raleigh, N.G., December 16, 1911. 

 Hon. Rogers C. B. Morton, 

 Secretary of Interior, 

 Washington, D.C. 



Dear Mr. Morton : I appreciate your telegram of November 4 concerning your 

 proposed for a meeting of Governors of East Coast states for the purpose of dis- 

 cussing the sale of leases for oil exploration off the east coast of the United States. 

 Please be advised that I would be most happy to attend a meeting to discuss 

 this important subject. My mind is open concerning the matter of exploration 

 for oil off the Atlantic Continental Shelf. I realize, on the one hand, our nation's 

 tremendous needs for proven energy reserves and, on the other hand, I under- 

 stand fully the potential environmental damage that can result from uncontrolled 

 and careless exploration and exploitation. 



North Carolina will most certainly want to be represented at any meeting 

 where a discussion of oil exploration off the Atlantic Continental Shelf is held. 

 I urge that the subject matter of such a meeting be expanded to include the de- 

 velopment of plans for adequate measures to protect environmental quality dur- 

 ing such exploration and during any subsequent commercial exploitation of 

 reserves. 



Cordially, 



Robert W. Scott. 



State op Delaware, 

 Executive Department, 

 Dover, Del., December 22, 1911. 

 Hon. Edward M. Kennedy, 

 V.S. Senator, United States Senate, 

 Wa!>hingtnn, D.C. 



Dear Senator Kennedy: T appreciate receiving a letter of November 22 ex- 

 pressing your concern about olfshore oil drilling in the Atlantic. We are especially 

 sensitive to any activity along the eastern seaboard which might seriously impair 

 the quality of the ocean environment. 



