Transcript Gulf Coast Restoration Deepwater Horizon

The RESTORE ACT and
other Economic Opportunities
Alabama Section
American Water Resources Association
Susan Ivester Rees, Ph.D.
Program Manager
Mississippi Coastal Improvement Program
4 September 2013
US Army Corps of Engineers
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RESTORE ACT
 Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities,
and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act of 2012 (P.L.
112-141)
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Restoration and protection of the natural resources, ecosystems, fisheries, marine and
wildlife habitats, beaches, and coastal wetlands of the Gulf Coast region.
Mitigation of damage to fish, wildlife, and natural resources.
Implementation of a federally approved marine, coastal, or comprehensive conservation
management plan, including fisheries monitoring.
Workforce development and job creation.
Improvements to or on state parks located in coastal areas affected by the Deepwater
Horizon oil spill.
Infrastructure projects benefitting the economy or ecological resources, including port
infrastructure.
Coastal flood protection and related infrastructure.
Planning assistance.
Administrative costs (limited to not more than 3% of a state’s allotment).
Promotion of tourism in the Gulf Coast Region, including recreational fishing.
Promotion of the consumption of seafood harvested from the Gulf Coast Region
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RESTORE ACT
 Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund
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80% of administrative and civil penalties
US Department of Treasury
 Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council
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Comprehensive Plan for Ecosystem Restoration
Identify and fund projects / programs for restoration and
protection of natural resources and Gulf ecosystems
Restore Council Members
Secretary of Commerce (Chair)
Secretary of Interior
Secretary of the Army
Secretary of Agriculture
Secretary of Homeland Security (Coast Guard)
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator
Governor of Florida
Governor of Alabama
Governor of Mississippi
Governor of Louisiana
Governor of Texas
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Alabama Gulf Coast Recovery Council
 Established by law to develop State expenditure plan
 Council members
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Governor (chair)
Director ASPA (co-chair)
Baldwin County Commission
Mobile County Commission
Mayors: Bayou La Batre, Dauphin Island, Fairhope, Gulf Shores,
Mobile, and Orange Beach
 Administrator: Alabama Department of Conservation and
Natural Resources
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Clean Water Act Criminal Fines
 2 Court Settlements
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BP: 29 January 2013, $4.5 B
• National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) ($2.394 B six
payments over five years
 50% - Louisiana barrier islands and river diversions
 50% - Other 4 States : Alabama (28%)
• National Academy of Sciences (NAS) ($350 M)
• North American Wetlands Conservation Fund ($100 M)
• Remainder to USCG and SEC
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Transocean: 19 February 2013, $400 M
• NFWF ($150 M three payments over two years)
• NAS ($150 M, five payments over four years)
• U.S. Treasury ($100 M)
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Natural Resources Damage Assessment
 Funds administered by Deepwater Horizon NRDA Trustees in
accordance with court approved decree
Department of Interior
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Department of Defense
Environmental Protection Agency
U. S. Department of Agriculture
State of Florida
State of Alabama
State of Mississippi
State of Louisiana
State of Texas
 All projects must have a nexus to a natural resource(s) damage by the oil
spill
 Court - 2 phases: 1st phase complete; 2nd phase late September 2013
 $1 billion has been provided by BP as part of an Early Restoration
Settlement (2011)
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Eight projects ($99 million) approved 2012
29 projects approved 2013
Trustees working with BP to approve another 69 projects ($901 million)
NRDA Trustees, DOJ, and BP meet monthly to discuss and plan early restoration and long term
NRDA plans
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