More than two years after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill that drenched much of the Gulf Coast in suffocating ooze, billions of dollars in fines are ready to be paid, and much of the money has been earmarked for the individual states most affected by the disaster. According to USA Today, the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourism Opportunities and Revived Economies (RESTORE) Act allocates 80 percent of the fines paid by BP to be directed toward Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, rather than into a general fund.
While the exact amount of fines has yet to be determined and specific projects have not yet been approved, projects that have been proposed include coastal wetland restoration, oyster reef construction and clean water initiatives. Each of these projects, and dozens more, can help revive the ecosystem that was devastated by the spill, including benefiting birds and other wildlife.
What projects would you like to see to restore the Gulf Coast's avifauna? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Oiled Beach at Bon Secour NWR
Photo © Jennifer Strickland / USFWS
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