Coastal Parishes and Louisiana to Share 20 Percent of Initial Restore Act Funds
Coastal Parishes and Louisiana to Share 20 Percent of Initial Restore Act Funds
Louisiana and 20 coastal parishes will share 20 percent of the initial Restore Act funds, according to new rules issued by the U.S. Treasury on Wednesday. Two baskets of penalty fines will be distributed among Gulf Coast states over time.
The portion coming to Louisiana and the local parishes could equal more than $1 billion. Louisiana will also receive money from other funds distributed under the Resort Act and could eventually receive more than 20 percent.
Other states that will be receiving funds include Mississippi, Alabama, Texas, and Florida. More than two-thirds of Louisiana’s portion will go to the state government while the parishes will receive the rest. The amount each parish will receive will be based on a complex formula that takes into consideration the amount of oiled coastline, the area of the parish and its population in July 2012. Plaquemines and St. Bernard had the largest amount of oiled shoreline. However, Terrebonne will receive a bit more than St. Bernard as the area’s population was nearly triple the amount of St. Bernard.
The formula to distribute the money for the parishes will not be made final until the Treasury considers public comments on them.
In addition to the Restore Act fund, just over 32 percent of the additional buckets will be used to pay for ecosystem restoration, observation, and monitoring. The Restore Act fund has already received $653 million in Clean Water Act fines paid by Transocean; that number should eventually hit $800 million.
The oilfield contamination lawyers at Simien & Simien understand just how devastating the Deepwater Horizon oil spill was and laud the first step being taken to restore the coastal areas affected.
If you or anyone you know has been a victim of oilfield contamination, call our firm for a free review of your claim. We can help you determine what your legal rights are and if you are entitled to compensation.
Call us at (800) 374-8422 or fill out the Free Case Evaluation form to schedule a free legal consultation.
