Archive for BP Oil Disaster
Senate hearing reviews Gulf Coast oil spill restoration efforts
June 10, 2013 | Posted by Delta Dispatches in BP Oil Disaster, Clean Water Act, Congress, Meetings/Events, Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA), RESTORE the Gulf Coast States Act, Senator Mary LandrieuBy Will Lindsey, Environmental Defense Fund
The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation held a hearing Thursday (June 6) to review the progress that has been made to restore the Gulf Coast since the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil disaster. Senators Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) chaired the hearing, titled “Gulf Restoration: A Progress Report Three Years after the Deepwater Horizon Disaster.” The hearing came nearly a year after passage of the RESTORE Act, legislation that allocates 80 percent of the Clean Water Act penalties from the 2010 oil spill to Gulf restoration. Both senators were cosponsors of the legislation.
Seven witnesses testified at the hearing, representing organizations responsible for managing these restoration funds – as well as the projects that will utilize these funds – that will soon begin flowing through three funding streams as a result of the 2010 spill. These streams include $2.54 billion resulting from the BP criminal settlement, an initial $800 million as a result of a Transocean settlement and $1 billion as a result of agreements with BP to fund early restoration efforts under the Natural Resource Damage Assessment process. The amount of funds available under the RESTORE Act is expected to grow substantially once the ongoing civil trials with BP are complete.
Notably, Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.), who played a vital role in passing the RESTORE Act, gave the opening remarks. In reference to the need to better understand the Gulf Coast in order to implement restoration efforts, Landrieu said, “Science can make us much better leaders, if we would just listen to our scientists and to the actual research.” Following these opening remarks, each witness provided an oral testimony on the efforts their individual organizations have taken since the spill.
In response to the first testimony by Lois Schiffer, General Counsel for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Sen. Nelson stressed Congress’s expectation that the administrative agencies involved with the implementation of restoration projects follow the legislative intent of Congress in enacting the law. “One of the things that we want to emphasize here is that we want you to pay attention to the law,” Nelson said. The statement came in reference to a previous comment by Sen. Landrieu indicating that the law was written in order to strike a balance between competing interests and thus a portion of the law specifically allocates a percentage of the funds solely to environmental restoration.
In the final testimony, Dr. Stephen Polasky, professor of environmental economics at the University of Minnesota, emphasized the importance of the RESTORE Act and the funding that it will provide to Gulf restoration. “Under the RESTORE Act, we can reinvest in nature to ensure the recovery of the Gulf of Mexico, so that it continues to provide benefits to current and future generations,” said Polasky.
Moving forward, it appears that Congress will be paying encouragingly close attention to the ways in which the Gulf Coast restoration money from these different funding streams is being spent. Also encouraging is the apparent intention of the recipients of these funds to work together to ensure that comprehensive restoration remains a key focal point of the ongoing efforts along the Gulf Coast. As Rachel Jacobson, Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks for the Department of Interior, stated in her testimony, “We have a responsibility to the public to ensure that we make wise investments that are well-coordinated across the spectrum, through all funding streams.”
No CommentsAnalysis: Judge poses questions to better understand BP’s liability in Gulf oil disaster
May 22, 2013 | Posted by Kevin Chandler in BP Oil Disaster, Clean Water Act, RESTORE the Gulf Coast States ActBy Whit Remer, Policy Analyst, Environmental Defense Fund
The National Wildlife Federation's David Muth speaks at a press event and rally for the 3-year memorial of the BP oil disaster.
Though Phase I of the BP trial may be complete, both parties have a mountain of follow-up work, analysis, and then preparation to do for Phase II, which starts in September. Phase I of the trial covered the events leading up to the spill while Phase II will look at the explosion and response. When both phases are complete and after weighing all the evidence, Judge Carl Barbier will apportion liability between BP and its subcontractors, Halliburton and Transocean. Days after the conclusion of Phase I, Judge Barbier ordered the parties to submit post-trial briefs to help clarify some difficult questions in the case. The order, issued on April 24, asked the parties to address seven important questions before the court.
In this two-part blog, we will provide some commentary on those questions, which could have profound implications on BP’s liability. Of particular interest is whether the company will be found grossly negligent, which could quadruple the amount of Clean Water Act fines assessed in the case and substantially increase the amount of money subject to the RESTORE Act.
In this post, we will walk through the first three questions. Check back next week for our remaining commentary.
Question 1: What is the standard for finding “gross negligence” or “willful misconduct” under the Clean Water Act and Oil Pollution Act?
Our commentary: In tort law, degrees of negligence are associated with how careless a person or company was when it committed the wrongdoing. On one side of the spectrum, there is ordinary negligence. On the other side is gross negligence or willful misconduct. The more careless the mistake is, the higher the degree of negligence. In BP’s case, that could mean the difference between $4.5 and $17.6 billion.
Judge Barbier is interested in the standards of negligence under two important environmental laws, the Clean Water Act (CWA) and Oil Pollution Act (OPA). The laws have vastly different consequences depending on the degree of negligence (to the tune of tens of billions of dollars), hence Judge Barbier’s request for clarity. There is considerable room for debate, both in fact and in law on this issue, so each side will need to present crystal clear facts and apply helpful case law to persuade the court of their view.
Question 2: What is the standard for a finding of punitive damages under general maritime law? Is this a different standard than under the Clean Water Act or Oil Pollution Act, and if so, how?
Our commentary: There are two things to consider in this question: punitive damages and maritime law. Under the Clean Water Act, BP and other responsible parties will have to pay civil fines for breaking the law and polluting waters of the United States. The fines are based on the level of negligence and amount of oil spilled. Punitive damages are different in that they are imposed to deter conduct by others in similar situations and often give a jury or judge much more leeway in imposing.
In the 1989 Exxon Valdez spill, a jury imposed $5 billion in punitive damages against the company (this was on top of $7 billion in fines, penalties and settlements; $2.5 billion in cleanup costs; and $500 million in outstanding payments). The punitive damages were eventually reduced to $507.5 million after appealing the judgment all the way to the Supreme Court, but not without incurring significant legal costs and shaking up the company. BP is understandably wondering, “Could the judge find both gross negligence and impose punitive damages?”
Also relevant to this question is the concept of “maritime law.” Maritime law governs legal disputes that occur offshore and varies, often significantly in substance and spirit, from common law actions on land. Early on in the BP case, Transocean attempted to limit their financial liability to $25 million under an 1851 maritime law. That attempt was apparently unsuccessful considering the company agreed to a $1billion settlement with the US Department of Justice in January.
Question 3: In order to find that a party acted with gross negligence is it necessary to find that there be at least one single act or omission that equates to gross negligence, or can such a finding be based upon an accumulation or a series of negligence acts or omissions?
Our commentary: There’s a lot packed into this question, but the case law on factors that determine gross negligence is thin, prompting a difficult decision for the judge. It would seem that the clear-cut way for the government to prevail on this issue would be to find one, big mistake that amounts to gross negligence. However, reviewing briefs the government filed and looking back at how they presented their case at trial, it appears they are using the “bunch of mistakes add up to one huge grossly negligent mistake” approach.
Check back next week for our commentary on the remaining questions.
No CommentsVIDEO: 3 Years Later, Make BP Pay
May 9, 2013 | Posted by Delta Dispatches in BP Oil Disaster, Meetings/Events, VideosOn April 20, 2010, 11 people lost their lives and the biggest environmental disaster in our nation's history began. Three years later, BP's oil is still here, and it continues to impact the people, places and wildlife of the Gulf.
On April 20, 2013, to mark three years of BP's ongoing disaster, local groups and citizens gathered to memorialize all that has been lost, call out BP for the ongoing effects of the spill, and take a stand to fight for justice in the Gulf.
Below is our video from that event. Watch it and share it, and be sure to follow the link at the end to take action to tell BP it's time to pay!
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May 3 Telebriefing: Next Steps for Increased Funding for Coastal Restoration
May 2, 2013 | Posted by Elizabeth Skree in BP Oil Disaster, Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council, Job Creation, Meetings/Events, RESTORE the Gulf Coast States ActCoast Builders Coalition and the Mississippi River Delta Restoration Campaign will host a telebriefing on Friday, May 3, 2013 at 11 a.m. EST. Businesses and business associations seeking an update on the RESTORE Act, Deepwater Horizon settlement and the Gulf Council are encouraged to register. These issues will impact a wide range of businesses, from the coastal restoration companies that can expect to see increased demand for their services to the tourism companies that depend on a healthy Gulf ecosystem. All businesses are welcome and urged to attend.
An expert panel will provide the latest information on the RESTORE Act, the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council, the Deepwater Horizon trial and key legislative developments in the state of Louisiana. Topics to be covered include:
- What can businesses expect and when?
- What opportunities do businesses have to get involved in the process?
- When can we expect the Council’s plan and what can we expect from this document?
- When can we expect the Deepwater Horizon settlement funds being administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation? What can we expect from these funds?
We will provide guidance and recommendations for what advocates for coastal restoration are looking for from the Council moving forward. Please join us for 15-20 minutes of presentation, followed by discussion.
SPEAKERS:
Elizabeth Weiner
Senior Policy Manager, Mississippi River Delta Restoration Program
Environmental Defense Fund
(Formerly Legislative Assistant for Water Resources Policy for U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu)
Scott Kirkpatrick
President
Coast Builders Coalition
Whit Remer
Policy Analyst, Mississippi River Delta Restoration Program
Environmental Defense Fund
Cynthia Duet
Director, Government Relations
Audubon Louisiana
If you are a business and are interested in participating in this telebriefing, please register at this link.
Please email Shannon Hood (shood@edf.org) with Environmental Defense Fund for more information.
No Comments$320 Million of BP Money Released for Barrier Island Restoration in Louisiana
April 30, 2013 | Posted by Elizabeth Skree in BP Oil Disaster, Media Resources, Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA)FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACTS: Emily Guidry Schatzel, National Wildlife Federation, 225.253.9781, schatzele@nwf.org
Erin Greeson, National Audubon Society, 503.913.8978, egreeson@audubon.org
Elizabeth Skree, Environmental Defense Fund, 202.553.2543, eskree@edf.org
$320 Million of BP Money Released for Barrier Island Restoration in Louisiana
Early Natural Resource Damage Assessment funding will restore areas hurt by Gulf oil disaster
(Lafitte, LA—April 30, 2013) Today, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal announced that BP has agreed to fund approximately $320 million in barrier island restoration projects in Louisiana. This funding will come from the $1 billion in early Natural Resource Damage Assessment funds that BP agreed to invest in restoration of damaged natural resources resulting from the 2010 Gulf oil disaster.
Three leading national conservation organizations working on Mississippi River Delta restoration — Environmental Defense Fund, National Wildlife Federation and National Audubon Society — released the following joint statement in response to the announcement:
“More than two years after BP’s initial pledge, it’s about time that a large amount of early Natural Resource Damage Assessment funds be released for work in hard-hit Louisiana. These dollars, still only a portion of the $1 billion BP down payment, will restore four barrier islands directly affected by the 2010 BP oil disaster, that provide important habitat for birds, fish and other wildlife.
“We are glad to see the Natural Resource Damage Assessment process is moving forward, because Gulf Coast restoration has waited long enough. The Mississippi River Delta is an economic and environmental cornerstone for the Gulf region and the entire nation, and barrier island restoration projects are an important component of necessary comprehensive coastal restoration. These projects will materially advance implementation of Louisiana’s 2012 Master Plan for a Sustainable Coast, the foundation of the effort to reverse wetland loss in the Mississippi River Delta.
“We encourage the Natural Resource Damage Assessment trustees, the state of Louisiana, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Department of Interior (DOI) and BP to continue to work together on projects like these that will restore Louisiana’s coast following the harm done during the BP oil disaster.”
The early Natural Resource Damage Assessment projects will restore four barrier islands, from Terrebonne Parish to the east bank of Plaquemines Parish, and represent an investment in restoration of areas that Governor Jindal called the most-injured by the oil disaster, including:
- Caillou Lake Headlands Component, which is also known as Whiskey Island, in Terrebonne Parish. This $110 million component will restore beaches, dunes and back-barrier marshes.
- Cheniere Ronquille Component, which is on the west bank of Plaquemines Parish in Barataria Bay. In coordination with NOAA, this $35 million component will construct beaches, dunes and back-barrier marshes.
- Shell Island Component, which is on the west bank of Plaquemines Parish in Barataria Bay. This $101 million component will restore back-barrier marsh and dunes and beach on the east and west lobes.
- Breton Island Component, which is on the east bank of Plaquemines Parish in the Breton Sound. While the project configuration is still being finalized in coordination with DOI, this $72 million component will restore and protect beach, marsh, and dune in the Breton National Wildlife Refuge on some of the most important seabird nesting islands in the northern Gulf.
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1 CommentQuestions remain as phase I of BP trial ends
April 26, 2013 | Posted by Delta Dispatches in 2012 Coastal Master Plan, BP Oil Disaster, Clean Water Act, RESTORE the Gulf Coast States ActBy Whit Remer, Policy Analyst, Environmental Defense Fund
Restoration advocates host a press conference to mark the three-year anniversary of the start of the BP oil disaster, outside the Hale Boggs Federal Building in New Orleans.
Testimony in the first phase of the BP oil spill trial wrapped up last week, but it could be at least a year before a decision is made in the case. On Wednesday, the court issued an order seeking clarity on critical issues in the case relating to gross negligence, and with millions of pages of evidence for the judge to consider, many questions remain unanswered. During the eight grueling weeks of trial, both sides presented detailed factual and legal arguments about the events leading up to the disaster, hoping that Judge Barbier would find the law on their side. Inside the courtroom, dozens of lawyers tried to make sense of the multiple safety and operational failures that caused the rig blowup in April 2010. The stakes are high, with potentially billions of dollars in fines and penalties on the line. Outside the courtroom, the Gulf Coast is still awaiting a resolution, so important ecosystem and economic restoration can begin.
Most legal experts predicted that BP and the plaintiffs would settle out of court because of the complexity of legal issues and shear amount of money at stake. BP currently faces up to $17.6 billion in fines for civil violations under the Clean Water Act alone. The company has reportedly already spent $25 billion on cleanup and other payouts to date. But the real loser in the litigation is clear: the Gulf Coast’s communities, wildlife and ecosystems that continue to wait for BP to make good on their promise to make the Gulf whole.
"Restore Our Gulf, Restore Our Future"
Nearly two years ago, BP promised $1 billion to the federal government and five Gulf Coast states to help kick start ecosystem restoration along the Gulf Coast. That promise, known as the Framework for Early Restoration, has funded only $69 million worth of restoration projects to date. That’s less than 7 percent of the $1 billion BP pledged. BP is playing hard ball on all fronts at the expense of the Gulf Coast environment.
This past weekend marked the three-year anniversary of the start of the BP oil disaster. With the next phase of trial not scheduled to begin until September, it’s still a waiting game for the Gulf Coast. Delay is the last thing this ecosystem can afford. Every hour, Louisiana loses one football field of land. The state has developed a comprehensive Coastal Master Plan to restore its coast, to be funded by RESTORE Act money from BP. But as the litigation drags on, restoration along Louisiana’s coast and throughout the Gulf continues to wait.
1 CommentLouisiana Public Broadcasting Presents: "Louisiana Coastal Concerns: BP & Beyond"
April 23, 2013 | Posted by Elizabeth Skree in 2012 Coastal Master Plan, BP Oil Disaster, Meetings/Events, NOAAFrom CWPPRA Newsflash:
What are viable strategies for addressing our coastal erosion in light of sea level rise, subsidence, hurricanes and oil spills?
Source: Louisiana Public Broadcasting
The Deepwater Horizon oil spill dumped nearly five million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, with Louisiana's coast receiving the greatest percentage of direct ecological damage. Three years later, a civil trial is taking place to determine the financial liability of BP and three other companies for the impact to the five Gulf states.
Eighty percent of penalties paid by the responsible parties will go toward Gulf Coast restoration. But will it be money well-spent? The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently predicted that Louisiana's southeastern coast is likely to be under at least 4.3 feet of water by the end of the century. What does that mean for projects in Louisiana's Comprehensive Master Plan for a Sustainable Coast? What are viable strategies for addressing the state's coastal erosion in light of sea level rise, subsidence, hurricanes and oil spills? Louisiana Public Square explores these issues and more on "Louisiana Coastal Concerns: BP and Beyond" Wednesday, April 24th at 7 p.m. CT on LPB HD, and at 9 p.m. on WLAE-TV in New Orleans.
This week, the La. Public Broadcasting TV program Louisiana Public Square focuses on "Coastal Concerns: BP and Beyond." The program will air statewide on LPB stations this Wednesday at 7 p.m. statewide, and at 9 p.m. on WLAE-TV in New Orleans.
The panelists are:
- Windell Curole, Director, South Lafourche Levee District
- Christopher D'Elia, Ph. D., Dean, LSU School of the Coast and Environment
- Garrett Graves, Chair of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority
- Mark Schleifstein, environmental reporter for The Times-Picayune
Kirby Goidel, Director of the LSU Public Policy Research Lab, will moderate. Beth Courtney, LPB president, will host.
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No CommentsThe BP Oil Disaster: #3YearsLater
April 16, 2013 | Posted by Elizabeth Skree in BP Oil DisasterToday, as the April 20 three-year memorial of the 2010 BP oil disaster approaches, impacted community members, public officials and local and national conservation groups convened at the site of the ongoing BP trial, outside the Hale Boggs Federal Building in New Orleans, to demand that BP be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law for its role in the oil disaster so that Gulf restoration can begin.
Visit the Restore the Mississippi River Delta's Facebook page to view the photo album from today's event, and click the photo below to LIKE and SHARE it on Facebook.
For Immediate Release: The BP Oil Disaster – Three Years Later
| Posted by Elizabeth Skree in BP Oil Disaster, Media ResourcesThe BP Oil Disaster: Three Years Later
I: PRESS RELEASE
II: JOINT STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BP Oil Disaster Unresolved at Three-Year Mark
Gulf Coast residents, public officials, conservation groups gather onsite at BP trial
CONTACTS: Emily Guidry Schatzel, National Wildlife Federation, 225.253.9781, schatzele@nwf.org
Erin Greeson, National Audubon Society, 503.913.8978, egreeson@audubon.org
Elizabeth Skree, Environmental Defense Fund, 202.553.2543, eskree@edf.org
Jordan Macha, Sierra Club, 713.299.4300, jordan.macha@sierraclub.org
Dan Favre, Gulf Restoration Network, 401.965.7908, dan@healthygulf.org
(New Orleans, LA—April 16, 2013) Today, as the April 20 three-year memorial of the 2010 BP oil disaster approaches, impacted community members, public officials and local and national conservation groups convened at the site of the ongoing BP trial. The groups demanded that BP be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law for its role in the oil disaster so that Gulf restoration can begin. The BP oil disaster dumped 4.1 million barrels of oil into the Gulf and killed 11 men.
Speakers included National Wildlife Federation’s David Muth, who represented the Mississippi River Delta Restoration Campaign, a coalition of local and national conservation organizations; Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser; well-known New Orleans chef and restaurateur Susan Spicer; Patty Whitney, local community advocate with Bayou Interfaith Shared Community Organizing (BISCO); Jordan Macha, Gulf States representative for Sierra Club and Cynthia Sarthou, Gulf Restoration Network’s executive director.
Representing a variety of diverse interests—including local communities, the seafood and tourism industries and environmental groups—all speakers spoke on the common need for BP accountability, Gulf restoration and needed support for the Mississippi River Delta, an area that bore the brunt of the Gulf oil disaster. In addition to speakers, the event was attended by volumes of affected Gulf residents, who displayed signs symbolizing the amount of oil spilled into the Gulf and calling for BP to pay its maximum fines as soon as possible, so that comprehensive Gulf restoration can begin.
“Three years after the Gulf was inundated with BP oil, the wildlife, habitats and people of the Gulf are still feeling the effects of the disaster,” Muth said. “In 2012 alone, some 6 million pounds of BP oil was collected from Louisiana’s shorelines and 200 miles of coast remain oiled. We can’t allow BP off the hook for anything less than justice requires—a full payment for its recklessness so that real restoration of the Gulf’s ecosystem and economy can begin.”
“We still have concerns about the long term effects on the Gulf and its estuaries. We still see oil on the surface after storms with no one out there monitoring it. We will not stop until we get the help we need,” Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser said.
“Our cuisine, culture and economy are all dependent on a thriving, healthy Gulf. That means we've all got a stake in holding BP accountable and ensuring effective restoration begins as soon as possible,” said Susan Spicer, chef and owner of Bayona and Mondo restaurants.
“Two years ago, BP promised $1 billion to early restoration to be used in two years. To date, BP has only spent seven percent of the promised total,” said Cynthia Sarthou, executive director of the Gulf Restoration Network. “Despite BP's slick ad campaigns, the Gulf is still hurting and can't wait any longer for restoration. It's time BP be held fully accountable under the law."
“BP’s oil disaster continues to impact our communities,” said Patty Whitney of Bayou Interfaith Shared Community Organizing (BISCO). “After three years, the Gulf and its people can’t wait any longer for environmental restoration that supports resilient communities.”
“The emerging science shows that the BP oil disaster continues to have wide-ranging impacts on the ecosystem of the Gulf of Mexico,” noted Jordan Macha, Gulf States representative for the Sierra Club. “The people, communities and economy of our region depend on a healthy and restored Gulf. Citizen representation is crucial towards building a resilient and sustainable ecosystem and economy.”
The event occurred outside the Hale Boggs Federal Building, where BP is currently at trial defending its role in the disaster.
Environmental Defense Fund, National Audubon Society, National Wildlife Federation and Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation are members of the Mississippi River Delta Restoration Campaign. Made up of scientists, engineers, policy experts and outreach professionals, the campaign works to advance long-term sustainable solutions for the delta’s communities and wildlife. More at www.mississippiriverdelta.org.
Gulf Restoration Network is an environmental advocacy organization exclusively focused on the health of the Gulf of Mexico. Founded in 1994, GRN's mission is to unite and empower people to protect and restore the natural resources of the Gulf region. More at www.healthygulf.org.
The Sierra Club is a national environmental advocacy organization and one of the oldest conservation groups in the country. The Central Gulf Coast regional office, based in New Orleans, advocates for vibrant and sustainable solutions for Gulf Coast communities and its environment. More at www.sierraclub.org.
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Interviews available upon request.
Event photography and video available for print and online reporting purposes.
JOINT STATEMENT
Leading conservation groups issue joint statement marking BP oil disaster’s third memorial
Groups call for BP’s accountability, payment of fines so Gulf restoration can begin
(New Orleans, LA—April 16, 2013) Today, as the April 20 three-year memorial of the BP oil disaster approaches, impacted community members, public officials and local and national conservation groups convened at the site of the ongoing BP trial. The groups demanded that BP be held accountable to fullest extent of the law for its role in the 2010 BP oil disaster that dumped 4.1 million barrels of oil into the Gulf and killed 11 men.
The conservation groups, Environmental Defense Fund, National Audubon Society, National Wildlife Federation, Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation, Gulf Restoration Network and Sierra Club, issued the following joint statement today:
“The BP oil disaster was the worst environmental disaster in U.S. history. The fines BP pays should equate to the unprecedented and egregious nature of its recklessness. This ought to be a clear-cut case of gross negligence, and justice for the Gulf demands nothing less than a robust and fair settlement from BP, as soon as possible.
“Three years later, the oil spill is still a living disaster with ongoing effects, many of which will remain unknown for decades to come. Real restoration for the Gulf is possible, but not until BP pays its justified fines. The sooner BP’s case is resolved, the sooner we can get to work repairing the Gulf.
“In Louisiana, more than 200 miles of coastline remain oiled. As the state continues to lose wetlands at a rate of one football field every hour, nowhere in the Gulf is restoration more urgent than in the Mississippi River Delta.”
The groups noted that progress on Gulf restoration also depends on swift and meaningful action by the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council, an entity that Congress created in last year’s RESTORE Act and charged with developing a comprehensive restoration plan. The groups continued:
“The Restoration Council can make a tremendous positive impact on the future of the Gulf by crafting a sustainable, long-term vision for the region that focuses on a healthy ecosystem. The Council’s plan must be comprehensive and prioritize large-scale ecosystem restoration projects as the best path forward toward restored natural resources, revived economies and resilient communities. The Gulf’s economy depends on healthy natural resources, so restoring the ecosystem sustains the economy.
“For Louisiana, the Council should rely on the state’s Coastal Master Plan and prioritize master plan projects in the Council’s priority 3-year strategy. Implementing the ecosystem restoration projects in the master plan is critical to minimize additional land lost around the Mississippi River Delta and maximize new land built.”
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No CommentsMedia Advisory: The BP Oil Disaster – Three Years Later
April 15, 2013 | Posted by Elizabeth Skree in BP Oil Disaster, Media ResourcesMEDIA ADVISORY: For Tuesday, April 16, 2013
The BP Oil Disaster: Three Years Later
Gulf Coast residents, public officials, conservation groups to host press conference, rally at site of BP trial
CONTACTS: Emily Guidry Schatzel, National Wildlife Federation, 225.253.9781, schatzele@nwf.org
Erin Greeson, National Audubon Society, 503.913.8978, egreeson@audubon.org
Elizabeth Skree, Environmental Defense Fund, 202.553.2543, eskree@edf.org
Jordan Macha, Sierra Club, 713.299.4300, jordan.macha@sierraclub.org
Dan Favre, Gulf Restoration Network, 401.965.7908, dan@healthygulf.org
Please join coastal restoration advocates, government officials, business owners and impacted community leaders for a press conference and rally at the federal courthouse in New Orleans, the site of the ongoing BP trial, to mark the three-year memorial of the BP oil disaster.
WHAT: Press Conference, Rally, Interview and Photo Opportunities
WHEN: Tuesday, April 16, 12:00 p.m. CDT
WHERE: Hale Boggs Federal Building, U.S. District Courthouse
500 Poydras Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
WHO: David Muth, Director, Mississippi River Delta Restoration, National Wildlife Federation, speaking on behalf of the Restore the Mississippi River Delta coalition
Jordan Macha, Gulf States Representative, Sierra Club
Billy Nungesser, President, Plaquemines Parish
Susan Spicer, Chef and Restaurateur
Cynthia Sarthou, Executive Director, Gulf Restoration Network
BACKGROUND: Three years after 11 men lost their lives and our nation’s worst environmental disaster began, the people and environment of the Gulf Coast are still awaiting justice. As the first half of the civil trial ends, BP must be held fully accountable for its role in the spill and pay the maximum fines allowed by law – only then can justice be served and restoration begin. All along the Gulf, businesses and communities are eager to restore the ecosystem and economy – but they cannot start until BP pays. Soon, the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council will release its draft Comprehensive Restoration Plan, which has the potential to dedicate historic funds to large-scale ecosystem restoration projects throughout the Gulf. The pieces are in place for the start of the largest environmental restoration effort of our time. The only thing missing are the fines owed by BP for its carelessness in the Gulf.
Additional experts will be available for onsite/in studio interviews. For those unable to attend the event in person, audio and video transcripts will be available upon request after the event.
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