The federal and state co-trustees working to ensure that the American public is fully compensated for damages resulting from the Deepwater BP oil spill continue to take steps toward the creation of a plan to restore resources injured by the spill. We currently are approaching a critical juncture in that process -- the start of public restoration scoping meetings.
Pensacola, FL, on March 16: Bayview Community Center, 2001 Lloyd Street. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; formal meeting begins at 7:30 p.m.
Panama City, FL, on March 17: Bay County Government Center, 840 W. 11th Street. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; formal meeting begins at 7:30 p.m.
A newsletter (PDF) has been prepared to provide an outline of the public involvement process.
The public scoping meetings are part of a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) announced in a Federal Register notice on February 17, 2011, as part of the ongoing Natural Resource Damage Assessment. The purpose of the PEIS is to identify restoration types, analyze their potential environmental and socioeconomic impacts, and establish a programmatic framework and procedures that will enable the co-trustees to expedite the selection and implementation of restoration projects. The 90-day scoping comment period, highlighted by the upcoming public meetings, represents the first of several opportunities for citizens to become involved in restoration planning related to the spill.
The co-trustees have provided more details on the current and future opportunities for the public to engage in the restoration process at www.gulfspillrestoration.noaa.gov. In addition to providing comments by mail or in person at scoping meetings, members of the public also can enter comments via this website.
Our national response to this unprecedented disaster will be strengthened immensely by robust public involvement in the restoration planning process. Please take the time to learn more about how you can help shape those plans.