THE RHODE ISLAND PERSPECTIVE ON SUBMARINE CANYONS 



Mr. Bruce F. Vild 



Division of Planning 



Rhode Island Department of Administration 



Providence, RI 



Even though this workshop and the studies program focus on science, I 

 hope everyone recognizes that science is only one facet of the controversy 

 over submarine canyons. Politics, economics, and public opinion enter 

 strongly into the policy equation--and influence the governors' decisions, in 

 Rhode Island and elsewhere. 



In New England, public opinion favors the fishermen. New Englanders are 

 suspicious of the oil companies, and by extension, the Department of the 

 Interior. Both are seen as a threat to fisherman. Attitudes displayed at 

 public hearings demonstrate this clearly. Some of the notions held by the 

 general public about fishermen and the environment may seem romantic, but they 

 must be not be ignored. They have an impact. 



Supporting offshore drilling is unpopular in New England. Any policy 

 that a governor makes endorsing OCS exploration has to be tempered, not only 

 by environmental and scientific considerations, but also by political ones. 

 For my governor, or any governor, to support drilling in submarine canyons, it 

 will require far more than a statement that such activities are relatively 

 benign--assuming that such a statement is defensible. (Rhode Island is on 

 record opposing leasing and drilling in the canyons.) 



On the economics side, the governors have to ask this about OCS 

 exploration: what's in it for New England? Are the oil companies willing and 

 able to make any long-term commitment to the economic health of the region 

 that will balance the risk (perceived or actual) of allowing drilling-- 

 especially in such controversial areas such as the submarine canyons? Since 

 there have been eight dry holes on Georges Bank, there is no direct evidence 



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