The federal government is considering 10 applications for offshore oil and gas exploration along the U.S. Eastern Seaboard. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has asked to delay the permits for further impact studies. Neil Armingeon says just a few years ago, he didn’t know about seismic airgun testing, a standard method of mapping oil and gas deposits in deep sea beds. Today, though, it’s one of his top priorities. “What we want people to know is this is no longer hypothetical. This could be the precursor to oil-and-gas drilling off the Florida coast,” Armingeon said. Armingeon is the Matanzas Riverkeeper. He’s helped organize many events about seismic testing in the First Coast, like one last October in St. Augustine. Protesters stood at the base of the Bridge of Lions to wave signs and hold a press conference about the little-known issue. Since then, seismic testing has gained public traction. “Look, here’s one thing that I think everybody knows: there’s a cost to
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