Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration
Sep 13, 2012
Signed by: Barack Obama
Signed on: Sep 10, 2012
Published on: Sep 13, 2012
Sep 13, 2012
Signed by: Barack Obama
Signed on: Sep 10, 2012
Published on: Sep 13, 2012
Summary
Changes how the government handles Gulf Coast cleanup by creating a new council to manage money from oil spill fines and lead restoration projects.
What problem does this solve?
After the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, a special group was made to help the Gulf Coast recover. A new law, the RESTORE Act, created a better way to manage the cleanup, making the old group unnecessary. This order replaces the old group with the new Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council to follow the new law and better manage the restoration.
What does this order do?
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The Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund and the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council.
Creates new restoration council
Establishes the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council to create a full plan for restoring the Gulf Coast, using funds from the RESTORE Act.
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Termination of the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force.
Ends the old task force
Terminates the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force, which was created after the oil spill, and transfers its duties to the new Council.
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Designating Trustees for Natural Resource Damage Assessment.
Adds new environmental trustees
Names the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) as new trustees to help with assessing damage and restoring natural resources.
Reference
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The Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund and the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council.
Uses oil spill fines for cleanup
Confirms that 80% of the civil and administrative penalties paid by the parties responsible for the Deepwater Horizon spill will go into the Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund.
Cancels previous executive order
Revokes Executive Order 13554, which originally created the Task Force, once the Task Force is officially terminated.
Who does this affect?
- Gulf Coast communities and industries
- Federal agencies (EPA, USDA, Dept. of Interior, Dept. of Commerce)
- Environmental organizations
What is the real world impact?
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Aligns government action with new law
Updates the government's structure to match the RESTORE Act, which created a new council and a special fund for restoration. This makes the cleanup effort official and ensures it follows the law passed by Congress.
When does this start?
This order takes effect on September 10, 2012, and sets deadlines for changing how the government manages Gulf Coast restoration.
Reference
Text:
Section:
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Termination of the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force.
Termination of the Task Force
The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force must end no later than 60 days after the new Gulf Restoration Council begins its work.
Revocation of Executive Order 13554
The previous executive order on this topic is canceled at the same time the Task Force is terminated.