Gulf ’s bright future is looming
Seven years ago this month, the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded. Eleven men lost their lives and crude oil rushed into the Gulf for 87 long days. Wildlife from sea turtles to whales, shorebirds to oysters, corals to plankton were all harmed. Last year, the federal government determined that collectively these injuries could “best be described as an injury to the entire ecosystem of the northern Gulf of Mexico.”
The shocking images and horrifying headlines of 2010 have faded somewhat from our consciousness. Many Gulf Coast residents are likely under the impression that restoration efforts wrapped up years ago — or at least are well underway. But the reality is that Gulf restoration is just getting started — seven years after the spill.
The first restoration dollars from BP’s 2016 settlement arrive this month. Every year until 2031, Texas will receive approximately $37 million. This money is the result of BP’s Oil Pollution Act fines and Clean Water Act civil penalties — and is separate from the economic damages.
In total, we estimate that between all the settlements paid by all the parties, the Gulf states will receive more than $16 billion that can be used for restoration. Only a quarter of this money has already been allocated; the rest is yet to come.
This the biggest opportunity for ecosystem restoration that we have ever had in the United States, and it is critical that we invest these funds in smart projects that increase the number of fish in the sea and birds in the air while helping keep communities safe from storms. The National Wildlife Federation’s new report, “Making the Most of Restoration: Priorities for a Recovering Gulf,” recommends 50 projects that will collectively create real benefits for the Gulf of Mexico.
The report prioritizes restoring the Gulf ’s estuaries, places like Galveston Bay. These systems, where saltwater mixes with fresh, are among the most important natural habitats in the world. They serve as spawning, nursery and feeding grounds for nearly all the species of fish and shellfish we like to catch and eat.
Helping wildlife by restoring the Gulf makes economic sense. Recreational saltwater fishing is a portion of Texas’ outdoor economy that generates a billion dollars in revenue annually. Coastal tourism is responsible for a quarter of the travel dollars spent in Texas. There’s no question these dollars flowing to the state would decrease significantly if the coast didn’t have as many fish to catch, or birds to watch. Birds, in particular, are facing threats: A recent report found that more than one-third of North American bird species are in need of urgent conservation action.
Making this vision of a restored Gulf a reality rests in the hands of the state and federal decision-makers who administer the different oil-spill funds. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the Natural Resource Damage Assessment Trustees have made thoughtful investments in critical planning efforts and strategic restoration projects. Building on this, we were also pleased that the RESTORE Council’s new comprehensive plan committed to facilitating coordination between the different funding streams and that it emphasized the need for sound science to guide project selection.
In Texas, the science is clear about one of the coast’s most pressing threats: As Texas’ population booms, its estuaries are not likely to get the freshwater they need to support robust populations of fish and shellfish, particularly during droughts. Our report highlights a number of creative ways we can protect or restore the delicate balance of fresh and saltwater on the coast.
Right now, we can seize this unprecedented opportunity to ensure a bright future for the Gulf of Mexico. The national news likely won’t cover the seventh anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon. The next time the TV crews come back to the Gulf, I hope they can focus on the men and women working to restore their home — the scientists, political leaders, construction workers, engineers, anglers and beachgoers pulling together to make a difference — and not another oil spill.