Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Trustees Call for Public Input on Early Restoration of the Gulf
Florida Department of Environmental Protection sent this bulletin at 12/14/2011 10:25 AM EST
Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Trustees
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Florida: | Wednesday, Jan. 11 and Thursday, Jan. 12 |
Mississippi: | Tuesday, Jan. 17; Wednesday, Jan. 18; and Thursday, Jan. 19 |
Alabama: | Monday, Jan. 23 and Tuesday, Jan. 24 |
Texas: | Thursday, Jan. 26 |
Louisiana: | Tuesday, Jan. 31; Wednesday, Feb. 1; and Thursday, Feb. 2 |
Washington, D.C.: | Tuesday, Feb. 7 |
NRDA is the process used by natural resource trustees to develop the public's claim for natural resource damages against the party or parties responsible for a spill and to seek compensation for the harm done to natural resources and the services provided by those resources. The Deepwater Horizon NRDA Trustees include NOAA, the U.S. Department of Interior and state agencies from the five Gulf States - Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.
Early Restoration provides an opportunity to implement restoration projects agreed upon by the Trustees and BP under the Framework Agreement prior to the completion of the NRDA. The damage assessment will continue while Early Restoration planning is under way. BP and other responsible parties are obligated to compensate the public for the full scope of the natural resource injury caused by the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, including the cost of assessing such injury and planning for restoration.
Note to Media: Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Trustee Comments
Department of the Interior
"The projects proposed in the DERP/EA are intended to begin the process of returning the Gulf of Mexico to its pre-spill condition and making the public whole," said Rachel Jacobson, Acting Assistant Secretary of Fish and Wildlife and Parks, and Trustee Council member. "The Trustees crafted this combination of projects based on many criteria, including suggestions from the public, and we encourage the public to continue to participate as we take this major step toward meaningful restoration to bring health and strength back to this region."
NOAA
"NOAA will continue to pay close attention to comments submitted by the public as the Early Restoration process unfolds," said Monica Medina, Principal Deputy Undersecretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Trustee Council member. "We also will be working closely with our fellow trustees to help maximize the effectiveness of the projects they have identified for public consideration in the first round of Early Restoration."
Alabama
"We look forward to hearing feedback on these proposed initial projects and invite the public to join us for the meetings scheduled in Alabama," said N. Gunter Guy, Jr., Commissioner for Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, representing the Alabama trustees. "As this Early Restoration process seeks to further efforts to restore our Gulf's vital natural resources and the public's opportunity to enjoy those resources, we also encourage the public to submit written comments in addition to attending the upcoming meetings."
Florida
"This is an important first step in the process of starting restoration of the damage caused by the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill," said Mimi A. Drew, Special Advisor to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Herschel T. Vinyard, Jr. and member of the Trustee Council speaking on behalf of the Florida trustees. "We appreciate the hard work and input of our fellow trustees, local governments and stakeholders that helped us to identify these projects, and look forward to the continued collaboration with these groups both at our upcoming public meetings and throughout the restoration process."
Louisiana
"Today's release of the first round of proposed early restoration projects is a first step in restoring our coastline, our resources and our communities along the Gulf Coast from the Deepwater Horizon disaster," said Garret Graves, Chairman of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority. "Louisiana is grateful for the input provided by members of the public in this process to date, and welcomes and encourages additional comments regarding the projects proposed in the DERP/EA. We are pleased to have worked through this initial round and look forward to expediting future projects and expenditure of the remainder of early restoration funds."
Mississippi
"Public participation is a critical factor in developing plans for restoring the Gulf following the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. We understand that the people who make their living from the Gulf and those who choose to live or vacation there offer insightful and important perspectives that will help determine the types of restoration needed," said Trudy D. Fisher, Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality Executive Director and Mississippi's Trustee. "As a member of the Trustee Council, I strongly urge everyone to become involved by attending the public meetings that have been scheduled throughout the Gulf in order to ensure their thoughts are heard." Texas "We are pleased to see the first restoration proposals that will contribute to restoring the entire Gulf," said Carter Smith, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department executive director, representing the Texas trustees. "We look forward to advancing Texas-specific project proposals for the next phase. With more than 140 possible restoration projects in Texas so far, we have a wealth of important coastal restoration and enhancement opportunities to review and consider, and we want to get it right. We urge all interested Texans to get informed and engaged during this public comment period."
Media Contacts
Department of the Interior: Nanciann Regalado, 678.296.6805, nanciann_regalado@fws.gov
NOAA: Tim Zink, 206.402.2059, tim.zink@noaa.gov
Alabama: Patti Powell, 334.242.3484, Patti.Powell@dcnr.alabama.gov
Florida: Kristin Lock, 850.245.2112, kristin.lock@dep.state.fl.us
Louisiana: Jenny Kurz, 225.610.9737, jenny.kurz@la.gov
Mississippi: Donna Lum, 601.948.3071, donna.lum@neel-schaffer.com
Texas: Tom Harvey, 512.389.4453, Tom.Harvey@tpwd.state.tx.us
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