Long-Term Gulf Coast Restoration Support Plan

This memorandum assigns the Secretary of the Navy to lead development of a long-term plan for federal support of Gulf Coast economic and environmental recovery following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The plan must assess post-spill needs, coordinate with multiple stakeholders, and set measurable objectives for restoration, though it explicitly operates subject to available appropriations and existing legal authorities.

Federal Register Open PDF 75 FR 38913

Impact dates

Date TBD
Secretary shall develop Gulf Coast Restoration Support Plan

Key directives

Secretary of Navy shall develop Gulf Coast Restoration Support Plan as soon as possible
Plan shall provide comprehensive assessment of post-spill needs and federal assistance proposal
Plan shall ensure economic recovery, community planning, science-based ecosystem restoration, public health and safety, and support for affected individuals and businesses
Plan shall identify long- and short-term objectives with measurable achievement metrics
Executive branch components shall make available information, resources, and personnel as Secretary deems necessary

Who is ordered

Secretary of the Navy · Department of the Navy

Timeline

Immediate

Secretary of Navy assigned leadership role
Executive branch components directed to provide information and resources

Near term (90d)

Development of Gulf Coast Restoration Support Plan

Long term

Implementation of restoration objectives
Economic and ecosystem recovery of Gulf Coast region

Risks & tensions

Non-delegable assignment to Secretary of Navy creates potential capacity constraints for military leadership
Subject to availability of appropriations may limit actual resource commitment
Coordination burden across federal, state, local, tribal, and private stakeholders is substantial
No explicit deadline weakens accountability for plan completion
Complementary but distinct from ongoing oil spill response and natural resource damage processes under Oil Pollution Act