The federal government has released nearly 2,000 pages of legal and scientific documents relating to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Today, the Deepwater Horizon Natural Resources Damage Assessment Trustees released a Draft Programmatic Damage Assessment and Restoration Plan and a related Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement. These documents will include previously unreleased information on the impacts of the oil spill. Simultaneously, the Justice Department and the five Gulf states made public the legal terms of the consent decree regarding the $20.8 billion settlement agreement regarding BP’s responsibility for the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
All of these documents are open for public comment and can be downloaded at http://www.justice.gov/enrd/deepwater-horizon. NWF staff will examine the consent decree, the damage assessment, and the environmental impact statement in depth.
Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation made the following statement:
"This federal assessment shines greater light on the Deepwater Horizon’s impacts on wildlife and their habitats. These findings demonstrate the need to spend the $16 billion in criminal penalties, the RESTORE Act dollars, and the Oil Pollution Act fines on ecological restoration projects in the Gulf. Maximizing the impact of every available dollar requires proactive planning and coordination. With finalization of the settlement imminent, it is critical that the RESTORE Council update its comprehensive plan to set forth an inspiring and detailed roadmap for restoring the Gulf. Together, we can restore this incomparable ecological jewel and economic engine to improve its health and resilience for future generations.”
Additional Resources
Five Years and Counting
Read more about NWF's most recent Gulf report.
Parker is a shining role model for all she has accomplished and her ongoing positivity, energy, and belief in changing the world for the better.
Read the StoryHear from champions for greater and safer access to the outdoors as they discuss the potential solutions to address the intersectional issues faced by Black communities.
Listen NowBy taking the Mayors' Monarch Pledge, your local leaders can commit to uniting your community around saving the imperiled monarch. Send a message today urging your mayor or head of local or Tribal government to pledge before April 30!
Act NowGet quotes now or call (855) 786-0941
Get Quotes NowMore than one-third of U.S. fish and wildlife species are at risk of extinction in the coming decades. We're on the ground in seven regions across the country, collaborating with 53 state and territory affiliates to reverse the crisis and ensure wildlife thrive.