DARRP and Co-Trustees Release the Draft Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment for the Exxon Bayway and B.T. Nautilus oil spills

The Draft Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment (RP/EA) for the Exxon Bayway and B.T. Nautilis oil spills was released for public comment on October 12, 2009, by NOAA, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the States of New Jersey and New York. Comments will be accepted for a period of 15-days and will be considered before adopting a final RP/EA.

For more information, contact Carl Alderson at Carl.Alderson@noaa.gov or 732-872-3087.

Photo courtesy of Palmerton Trustees

Palmerton Zinc Superfund Site Natural Resource Damages Settlement

NOAA and co-Trustees (the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service and the State of Pennsylvania) concluded an agreement in early August to settle natural resource injury claims for the Palmerton Zinc Pile Superfund Site in Carbon County, Pennsylvania. Resource injuries resulted from heavy metals contamination associated with long-term zinc smelting operations at the Palmerton Site.

The settlement includes a required payment of approximately $9.9 million to Trustees to be used for restoration and the transfer of a 1,200 acre parcel (valued at approximately $8.7 million) to the State of Pennsylvania, for natural resource conservation. A portion of the settlement funds is expected to be used to address aquatic resource injuries. The consent decree has been lodged in federal district court and is subject to a 60-day public comment period and court approval. For more information, contact Peter.Knight@noaa.gov.