Abstract:
In 2008, President George Bush lifted the executive moratorium on drilling for oil and gas off the East Coast. The Outer Banks are a treasure to vacationers, its marshes are breeding grounds for many species and homes for others, and it is a home for migrating seasonal waterfowl. There are potential benefits in allowing companies to drill, but at the same time, North Carolina's shoreline could face significant risks to its ecology and its economy.