Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration

This executive order terminates the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force and transfers its functions to the newly statutorily created Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council under the RESTORE Act. It also designates the EPA Administrator and Secretary of Agriculture as additional trustees for Natural Resource Damage Assessment related to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, and directs EPA to revise relevant regulations accordingly.

Federal Register Open PDF 77 FR 56749

Impact dates

Nov 9, 2012
Task Force termination no later than 60 days after Gulf Restoration Council commences work

Key directives

Terminate Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force no later than 60 days after Gulf Restoration Council commences work
Transfer Task Force functions to Gulf Restoration Council and Trustee Council to extent practicable
Designate EPA Administrator and Secretary of Agriculture as additional trustees for Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment
Direct EPA Administrator to revise Subpart G of National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan to reflect trustee designations
Federal members of Gulf Restoration Council and Trustee Council to work closely, consult, and coordinate to reduce duplication
All Federal trustees to consult, coordinate, and cooperate in carrying out trustee duties
Revoke Executive Order 13554 concurrent with Task Force termination

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Task Force termination triggered upon Gulf Restoration Council commencing work
Revocation of Executive Order 13554 concurrent with Task Force termination

Near term (90d)

Task Force to provide assistance to Gulf Restoration Council prior to termination
EPA to revise Subpart G of National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan

Long term

Gulf Restoration Council to develop and implement Comprehensive Plan incorporating Task Force Strategy
Annual congressional reports on restoration progress
Ongoing Natural Resource Damage Assessment and restoration by expanded trustee group

Risks & tensions

Transition risk: Task Force termination contingent on Gulf Restoration Council 'commencing work'—undefined trigger date creates uncertainty
Coordination tension between new Gulf Restoration Council (statutory) and existing Trustee Council (statutory under OPA) with overlapping but distinct mandates
EPA regulatory revision deadline unspecified—no calendar or relative date provided
Potential for duplication or conflict between RESTORE Act-funded projects and Natural Resource Damage Assessment restoration actions