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Select Board authorizes revised comment letter asking NSF to brief town on planned offshore drilling (Expedition 501) and to notify town of impacts
Summary
The Select Board voted April 9 to authorize a revised comment letter asking the National Science Foundation and its partners to brief the town about the proposed IODP/NSF expedition 501 and to notify Nantucket quickly of any unexpected impacts.
Town counsel presented a draft comment letter on April 9 asking the National Science Foundation and the proposed IODP (Integrated Ocean Drilling Program) expedition 501 team to consult with the town, to provide a public briefing, and to notify Nantucket in a timely manner about any unanticipated impacts.
The letter asks the expedition leaders to: (1) provide a public presentation and answer questions at a Select Board meeting or similar public session; (2) consult with the town on potential impacts to Nantucket’s marine and coastal resources and provide timely notice should adverse effects occur; and (3) engage in required Section 106 consultation under the National Historic Preservation Act. Counsel noted the environmental assessment concludes no significant impacts under NEPA, but the town had not been notified in advance of the project and requested fuller engagement.
Board action After brief discussion, a Select Board member moved to authorize town counsel to revise and send the letter to the National Science Foundation with strengthened language on timely notification and follow-up if project representations prove inaccurate. The board voted by roll call: Malcolm — Aye; Don — Aye; Matt — Aye; Tom — Aye; Chair — Aye. The motion passed unanimously.
Context and next steps Counsel and staff said the letter would be filed promptly (the comment deadline in the draft was April 11). Counsel and staff also said they would request an in-person or remote presentation by expedition representatives and asked the public to forward questions to town staff ahead of any briefing. Counsel forecasted continued communication with federal regulators should issues arise during the expedition.
