The EPA today announced the appointment of a director of a broad program designed to “facilitate collaborative actions to protect, maintain, and restore the health and productivity of the Gulf of Mexico in ways consistent with the economic well-being of the Region.”
Recently, the U.S. House of Representatives gave voice vote approval to an amendment that would dedicate the majority of fines collected from the Gulf oil spill toward restoration of the area’s ecosystem and economy. The Senate version of that amendment is more specific, in that it would require that 80 percent of Clean Water Act fines from the 2010 BP oil spill go toward a new Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund. The Senate is expected to vote on its version of the amendment as soon as this week.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection today announced it has completed a series of post-hurricane season beach inspections, as part of the response to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
A new report issued by The National Academy of Engineering, a government-created nonprofit, concludes that the lack of regulation and ineffective safety management practices that led to BP’s catastrophic oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico have not been fully remedied — leaving communities in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Texas and Louisiana potentially vulnerable to another oil spill.
A widespread toxic algae outbreak has shut down oyster season across the Texas coast and caused health problems for many nearby residents.
New polling results reveal that 84 percent of Florida voters and 92 percent of Panhandle voters support a bill approved by a Senate committee that would ensure that BP oil spill fines are spent on Gulf restoration. The poll also showed 75 percent of Florida voters and 82 percent of Panhandle voters are more likely to support candidates who back the legislation.
USDA Under Secretary for Natural Resources and the Environment Harris Sherman will be in McAlpin, Fla., on Monday to discuss the recent announcement of a strategic plan to improve the overall health of the gulf ecosystem.
The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force today released its final strategy for long-term ecosystem restoration for the region most affected by the 2009 BP Deepwater Horizon disaster, which sent more than 20 million gallons of oil into the gulf. The announcement follows extensive feedback from citizens throughout the region, and was developed following more than 40 public meetings.
A briefing to discuss efforts to restore ecological and economic vitality to the Gulf of Mexico will be held on Wed., Nov. 16, and will feature a host of panelists and lawmakers from all the states affected by last year’s massive BP oil spill.
According to a plan approved by the Coast Guard and obtained by the Associated Press, BP will no longer be responsible for the cleanup of any oil washing up on Gulf of Mexico shores, unless officials can prove it came from the BP well that blew out in 2010, killing 11 workers and sending more than 20 million gallons of oil into the gulf.
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