Rep. Bachmann Suggests Support for Oil Drilling in the Everglades

Media Contacts
John Rumpler

Clean Water Director and Senior Attorney, Environment America

Environment America

During a four-day campaign tour in Florida, presidential hopeful Michele Bachmann stated that she would consider drilling for oil in the Everglades.  Environment Florida Director Aliki Moncrief issued the following statement in response:

“Representative Michele Bachmann’s senseless suggestion that oil drilling and environmental protection can go hand in hand, particularly in the Everglades, is absurd and disappointing. There’s no room for oil drilling in the Everglades’ ecologically diverse and fragile wetlands.”

“We cannot afford to add oil drilling to the mix of environmental stresses already burdening the Everglades. They are already only half their historic size, under pressure from urban development, and overwhelmed with polluted agricultural runoff flowing from industry-sized sugar cane farms.  The fact is that there can be no drilling in sensitive wetlands without causing harm. The BP Deepwater Horizon disaster is a powerful reminder that spills are inevitable.” 

“The Everglades is home to half of North America’s bird population and endangered wildlife, such as the Florida panthers. It attracts millions of visitors every year and provides aquifer recharge and groundwater protection, which is key in a state where groundwater aquifers supply over 90% of the population’s drinking water. Drilling is the last thing the Everglades need.”