U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein Responding to Your Message

Dear Auntie Nanuuq:

 

Thank you for writing to express your support for efforts to restore the environment of the Gulf Coast.  I appreciate the time you took to write, and I welcome the opportunity to respond.  I believe it is important to restore and protect the delicate ecosystems of the Gulf Coast, encourage economic growth in industries affected by the oil spill, and assist those whose lives have been changed by these events. 

 

In order to formulate a plan to address the environmental and economic challenges caused by the Deepwater Horizon-BP oil spill, the President asked Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, a former Mississippi governor, to conduct an investigation of the Gulf Coast region.  On September 28, 2010, Secretary Mabus released a report entitled "America's Gulf Coast: A Long Term Recovery Plan after the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill."  The report recommends that a Gulf Coast Recovery Fund be formed, and that civil penalties under the Clean Water Act be used to support restoration of the region's ecosystems and small businesses hurt by this catastrophe.  You may read the full report at: http://www.restorethegulf.gov/sites/default/files/documents/pdf/gulf-recovery-sep-2010.pdf. 

 

The President also established the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling to provide recommendations on preventing future spills.  On January 11, 2011, the Commission released its final report, detailing events leading up to and surrounding the disaster, and providing recommendations for preventing future incidents.  Among the recommendations are that Congress should dedicate 80 percent of the Clean Water Act penalties collected from BP or other companies involved to the long-term restoration of the Gulf of Mexico.  You may obtain the final report at:  http://www.oilspillcommission.gov/final-report.

 

On January 5, 2011, Representative Steve Scalise (R-LA) introduced the "Gulf Coast Restoration Act" (H.R. 56).  This legislation would establish a Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Fund in the Department of Treasury which would receive at least 80 percent of the penalties collected under the Clean Water Act.  These funds would be used for the conservation, protection, and restoration of the Gulf Coast ecosystem. 

 

I appreciate knowing of your support for the restoration of the Gulf of Mexico, and I will be sure to keep your thoughts in mind should the Senate consider legislation on this matter during the 112th Congress. 

 

Again, thank you for writing.  If you have additional comments or questions, please contact my Washington, D.C. office at (202) 224-3841.

Sincerely yours,
  Dianne Feinstein
          United States Senator
Further information about my position on issues of concern to California and the Nation are available at my website, Feinstein.senate.gov.  You can also receive electronic e-mail updates by subscribing to my e-mail list. Click here to sign up.  Feel free to checkout my YouTube Page.