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Monday, March 18, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

Gulf Oil Spill Plan|Orders Are Fleshed Out

WASHINGTON (CN) - President Obama has expanded on what the Secretary of the Navy, Ray Mabus, is to consider when making the Long-Term Gulf Coast Restoration Plan, mentioned in the president's June 15 speech after the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon.

Noting that the "oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is the worst environmental disaster America has ever faced," Obama has directed Secretary Mabus to lead the creation of a long-term plan for "economic and environmental restoration" to bring back "the unique beauty and bounty" of the region.

In a memorandum to the secretary, the president ordered that the plan include a comprehensive assessment of the region's post-spill needs and a proposal for federal assistance for the overall recovery of the region.

In addition to immediate post-recovery needs, the memorandum orders Mabus to develop a plan that will ensure economic recovery, community planning, "science-based restoration of the ecosystem" and environment, public health and safety efforts, and support of individuals and businesses who suffered losses due to the spill. The president did not set a date for the report to be completed.

Secretary Mabus previously served as the governor of Mississippi, and as ambassador to Saudi Arabia during the Clinton Administration. Before becoming the 75th Secretary of the Navy, Mabus was an executive in the private sector and worked for the election of President Obama.

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