No LNG Port - Protecting the Sea Floor

On a New York beach  

Dear Legislative Body of Nassau County, Assemblymen (Long Island), Senators, Congressmen, City of Long Beach, Town of Hempstead and North Hempstead Governing Bodies;

My name is Ekayani Chamberlin. I am a native New Yorker and I live in Brooklyn. I am opposed to the Liberty Natural Gas project in Port Ambrose and offshore liquified natural gas facilities in general. I am opposed to this project for many reasons but for now I am  going to focus on the significant concern of the sea floor.

It is no secret that any form of ocean industrialization will negatively impact the sea floor. This project will impact up to 250 acres of the sea floor. This action will kill lobsters, crabs, clams, scallops, oysters and disturb the sea floor they rely upon. Some of these habitats require decades to form and they will be destroyed in just a few months of dredging for pipeline laying and the installation of anchoring devices. Once damaged it can take years to be restored to its original state and we should know as we have been trying for years to fix the damage that was already caused.  What about the whales who are near extinction that won't be able to pass let alone eat? Consider the fisherman who will lose their livelihood. What about the fragility of our shorelines and the people who lost homes barely getting a foot hold after Hurricane Sandy? The reasons as to why this project is a bad idea goes on forever but we don't have forever to play with Mother Nature recklessly. 

 As you can see from this photo of me , I have been enjoying the beaches of Long Island and Brooklyn since the age of  three. To this day I vacation regularly on Long Island. in an area that saw considerable damage from Hurricane Sandy.  Thank you for supporting a true "no action" alternative. Let's use wind instead that will fulfill the promise of New York as a leader in the energy of the future while protecting our communities for generations to come. There couldn't be a better or more needed time to make the switch.

Thank you!

Ekayani  Chamberlin
Brooklyn, NY 11222