The Deepwater Horizon oil spill Natural Resource Damage Assessment Trustees have proposed a comprehensive, integrated ecosystem plan for the Gulf of Mexico.
The draft plan is based on the assessment of impacts to the Gulf’s natural resources – and on the services provides – following the recent Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
The Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Draft Pragmatic Damage Assessment and Restoration plan and environmental impact statement are both available for public review and comment through Dec. 4.
These items are posted at www.gulfspillrestoration.noaa.gov.
There will be a meeting on Nov. 10 in Galveston regarding the plan. There will be an open house at 6 p.m. followed by the public meeting at 7 p.m. at the Hilton Galveston Island Resort Crystal Ballroom, 5400 Seawall Boulevard.
The draft plan allocates funds from a proposed settlement with British Petroleum (BP) for up to $8.8 billion for natural resource injuries stemming from the spill.
The Trustees propose to accept this settlement, which will resolve BP’s liability. Under the proposed settlement, $238 million would be allocated for Texas’ restoration efforts. Read more in the mid-week Bowie News.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. (Logo provided by the TPWD, used with permission)