America’s Gulf Coast: A Long Term Recovery Plan after the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

September 28, 2010 | 1:47:10 PM EDT

The Obama Administration has put forward an aggressive restoration plan, including a call for dedicated funds, to help strengthen the Gulf region’s environment, economy, and health following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

The restoration plan, written by Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, recommends that Congress dedicate a significant amount of any civil penalties obtained from parties responsible for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill into a Gulf Coast Recovery Fund to go toward addressing long-term recovery and restoration efforts in the Gulf. To manage the funds and to coordinate recovery projects, the Mabus report recommends that Congress authorize a Gulf Coast Recovery Council. As designed, the Recovery Council would include representatives from the states and federally recognized Gulf tribes. The Recovery Council would work to ensure that local governments and citizen stakeholders also play a critical role.

The President will not let the recovery process wait until Congress acts to approve the Recovery Council. He will establish the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force. A bridge to the Recovery Council, this intergovernmental advisory body will coordinate restoration programs and projects in the Gulf region. It will focus on efforts to create more resilient and healthy Gulf Coast ecosystems, while also encouraging support for economic recovery and long-term health issues. Given her extensive environmental experience, ability to work successfully with stakeholders, and roots in the Gulf Coast region, the President has named Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson to serve as Task Force chair.