COMMENT OPPORTUNITY: Deepwater Horizon restoration plan for birds

[Laura Bies]

This news and analysis are provided by the Ornithological Council, a consortium supported by ornithological societies. Join or renew your membership in your ornithological society if you value the services these societies provide to you, including OrnithologyExchange and the Ornithological Council.

The explosion of the Deepwater Horizon mobile drilling unit in April 20, 2010, resulted in a massive discharge of oil into the ocean. A 2016 settlement directed the well’s owner, BP Exploration and Production, Inc., to pay $8.1 billion in natural resource damages over a 15-year period, as well as an additional amount, up to $700 million, for adaptive management or to address effects on natural resources that were unknown at the time of the settlement.

Restoration is being overseen by Trustee Implementation Groups for each of the eight designated Restoration Areas. The Open Ocean Restoration Area has prepared a draft Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment regarding birds.

Comments are due April 28. The Trustee Implementation Group will help public webinar on the draft plan on March 28 and April 4. You can read the draft plan, fact sheets about the proposed projects, and additional background information here.

About the Ornithological Council

The Ornithological Council is a consortium of scientific societies of ornithologists; these societies span the Western Hemisphere and the research conducted by their members spans the globe. Their cumulative expertise comprises the knowledge that is fundamental and essential to science-based bird conservation and management.  The Ornithological Council is financially supported by our member societies and the individual ornithologists who value our work. If the OC’s resources are valuable to you, please consider joining one of our member societies or donating directly at Birdnet.org. Thank you for your support!