DARRP and Co-Trustees Release the Damage Assessment and Restoration Plan and
Environmental Assessment for the Athos I Delaware River Oil Spill
The draft Damage Assessment and Restoration
Plan and Environmental Assessment (DARP/EA) for the M/T Athos I oil
spill was released for public comment on January 6, 2009 by NOAA, the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and
Delaware. This comment period is the last step before selection of the final
restoration projects and submittal of the damage claim to the U.S. Oil Spill
Liability Trust Fund.
On November 26, 2004, the Athos struck a submerged anchor which punctured
the vessel, spilling nearly 265,000 gallons of crude oil into the Delaware
River. This resulted in injuries to over 280 miles of shoreline, affecting
habitats, aquatic organisms, birds and other wildlife, as well as recreational
trips.
Nine preferred restoration projects, expecting to total over $20 million, are
intended to address injuries in Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The
projects include restoring approximately 300 acres of oyster, marsh, shoreline,
wet meadow, grassland, and stream habitat; three recreation projects; and
four projects to remove stream obstructions restricting the migration of
anadromous fish.
These projects will benefit coastal communities and economies by improving
fishing, boating, hunting and wildlife viewing, provide green jobs during
construction, and address educational, public access, and environmental justice
needs. For more information, contact Mary.Andrews@noaa.gov
or Kristin.Rusello@noaa.gov.
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