🌊Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Restoration Plan and Business Implications
Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Louisiana and Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Groups; Draft Joint Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment #1: Wetlands, Coastal, and Nearshore Habitats, Federally Managed Lands, Fish and Water Column Invertebrates, Sea Turtles, Submerged Aquatic Vegetation, and Birds Restoration of the Chandeleur Islands
Summary
The natural resource trustee agencies for the Louisiana and Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Groups (the TIGs) have prepared the Draft Joint Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment #1: Wetlands, Coastal, and Nearshore Habitats, Federally Managed Lands, Fish and Water Column Invertebrates, Submerged Aquatic Vegetation, Sea Turtles, and Birds Restoration of the Chandeleur Islands (Draft RP/EA). The Draft RP/EA analyzes projects to partially restore resources injured in the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill. The Draft RP/EA evaluates a reasonable range of six action alternatives under the Oil Pollution Act (OPA), including criteria set forth in the OPA natural resource damage assessment (NRDA) regulations, and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). A No Action alternative is also analyzed. The total cost to implement the TIGs' two preferred alternatives is approximately $360,000,000. The TIGs are proposing to allocate approximately $247,000,000 in DWH NRDA funds to implement the preferred alternatives and the State of Louisiana is actively pursuing additional funding sources. The TIGs invite comments on the Draft RP/EA.
Agencies
- Interior Department
Business Impact
$$$ - High
The text outlines a significant restoration plan with an estimated cost of $360 million, partially funded by $247 million from natural resource damage assessment funds. This indicates potential economic opportunities and regulatory compliance requirements for businesses involved in environmental restoration and habitat improvement efforts.