Coastal Zone Management: Federal Consistency Appeals by Mobile Exploration & Producing Southeast, Inc., From Objections by the State of North Carolina

Résumé

On September 2, 1994, the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) issued decisions in two consistency appeals of Mobile Exploration & Producing Southeast, Inc. (Mobil). Mobil is the operator of Outer Continental Lease OCS A-0236, an oil and gas lease in federal waters approximately 39 miles off North Carolina's (State) coast, known as Manteo Area Block 467 (Block 467). In one decision, the Secretary declined to override the State's objection to Mobil's proposed drilling discharges. In a second decision, the Secretary declined to override the State's objection to Mobil's overall Plan of Exploration (POE). Mobil submitted its proposed POE for Block 467 to the Minerals Management Service of the Department of the Interior on August 20, 1990. Mobil proposed drilling one exploratory well to assess hydrocarbon reserves in an area near ``the Point,'' a biologically unique area defined by the convergence of the Gulf Stream, slope, and shelf waters, and containing significant natural resources. The Point is a prime fishing area for North Carolina fishermen. Mobil also applied for a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit required by section 402(a) of the Federal Water Pollut