ELI’s Work in the Gulf of Mexico
ELI has been working to support community involvement in the restoration and recovery processes initiated in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster that began in April 2010. We have engaged with local partners, community organizations, and others to develop a continuing series of workshops, materials, and other resources to help people understand the processes and explore formal and informal opportunities to participate in them.
Recovery & Restoration
Multiple recovery and restoration processes have been initiated in the Gulf since April 2010. Some are specific to damages caused by Deepwater Horizon, while others are aimed at broader regional restoration. ELI has developed information materials to help the public understand the various processes, how they are different, and where they currently stand. We update and add to the materials as often as possible.
Note: As of March 8, 2012, the Gulf Coast Claims Facility (GCCF) is closed. For more information and FAQs on the court-supervised transitional claims process, visit the GCCF website and Plaintiff Steering Committee website.
Natural Resource Damage Assessment
The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 requires that natural resource trustees undertake a Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) following an oil release. ELI's materials provide information on what NRDA is, what is ongoing in the Gulf, and opportunities for the public to participate in NRDA.
Clean Water Act & RESTORE
The Clean Water Act levies civil and criminal penalties on parties that violate its oil discharge prohibitions. The RESTORE Act is a legislative proposal to devote 80% of any civil penalties related to Deepwater Horizon to Gulf restoration. ELI's materials explain the origin of these potential civil and criminal penalties, the range of what the civil penalties could be, and what the RESTORE Act could achieve.
Workshops
ELI is continuing a series of workshops initiated in spring 2011, when ELI and local partners convened trustees, non-governmental experts, and community members to learn about, discuss, and identify points of action in the natural resource restoration processes initiated after Deepwater Horizon. The 2011 workshops focused on the Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) and how the process might unfold in the Gulf. In 2012, ELI will host a second series of regional workshops focused on increasing understanding of all the various restoration processes. The agenda is currently under development. More information will be posted here as it becomes available.
Interview Series
In summer 2011, ELI developed a new series, Interviews from the Trenches: Exploring Gulf restoration issues with individuals working on the ground and in the water. The series provides information about various issues related to Gulf restoration, through interviews with individuals who work on these issues daily. We have been releasing interviews periodically, so check back regularly for new ones.
Other Resources
Another tool that ELI developed following the Deepwater Horizon spill is a resource portal with information about the oil spill, its effects, and efforts to help the region recover. It includes a Litigation Database, which tracks litigation triggered by the oil spill; other ELI resources relevant to response and recovery; and additional resources from outside sources.
Since the Deepwater Horizon disaster began, ELI has also hosted seminars examining the existing liability framework for oil releases and the structure and process for engaging in early restoration. Click the links below to access written summaries, audio recordings, and presentations and handouts from those events.
Beyond the Spill: Long-Term Conservation & Restoration
In addition to the disastrous effects of Deepwater Horizon, the Gulf of Mexico has also been impacted by decades of development. To ensure the long-term health of the region, it is imperative that the legal and institutional framework for managing the ocean and coastal habitats is robust and comprehensive. ELI recently completed two reports assessing these frameworks. The first, completed in partnership with the Centro Mexicano de Derecho Ambiental (CEMDA), compares the Mexican and U.S. frameworks related to Gulf habitat protection. The second is a more in-depth exploration of the five U.S. Gulf states' frameworks (Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Florida).
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