July 13, 2012

Implementing the RESTORE the Gulf Coast States Act: Key Considerations and Opportunities

The 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster harmed the natural resources, communities, and economies of the Gulf Coast. The resulting oil spill also triggered civil and criminal penalties under the oil discharge prohibitions of the federal Clean Water Act. Civil penalties alone could total over $17 billion. On June 29, 2012, Congress passed the Resources and Ecosystem Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act (also known as the "RESTORE Act") as part of the Surface Transportation Bill. The RESTORE Act will direct 80 percent of the Clean Water Act civil penalties from the Deepwater Horizon incident to environmental and economic restoration and research in the Gulf region.

This seminar brought together experts to discuss the key considerations and opportunities ahead in implementing the RESTORE Act, including what the RESTORE Act could mean for the environment, economies, fishing communities, and citizens of the Gulf Coast states.

PANELISTS:

• George Cooper, Senior Vice President, Forbes-Tate
• Brian Moore, Legislative Director, National Audubon Society
• Cyn Sarthou, Executive Director, Gulf Restoration Network

MODERATOR:

• Megan Herzog, Law Fellow, Environmental Law Institute

MATERIALS:

• Seminar summary (PDF)
• Event recording (audio - MP3)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Read ELI's 2-page summary of the RESTORE Act
• Visit ELI's designated website on Deepwater Horizon Restoration and Recovery
• View the full text of the RESTORE Act

This seminar is made possible by generous support from
the Naomi and Nehemiah Cohen Foundation and the Walton Family Foundation.

Click here for more information on ELI's Ocean Seminar Series