In September of 2018, the Justice Department entered into a Consent Decree with the responsible party, Shell Offshore, Inc., for $3.6 million, to restore habitat and natural resources impacted by the release of the Shell Green Canyon 248 Oil spill. NOAA and co-trustees, on behalf of the public, are releasing a Draft Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment, out for public comment for 30 days until August 19, 2021.

The natural resource trustee agencies in the case are proposing these settlement funds be used to restore habitats for the fish, birds, and marine mammals impacted by the spill and to compensate the public for the natural resources and services injured as a result. 

The preferred restoration alternatives include: 

• The creation of a living shoreline in West Cove, Calcasieu Lake along Sabine National Wildlife Refuge in Cameron Parish, Louisiana
• The creation of a five-acre colonial bird nesting island on Pass-a-Loutre Wildlife Management Area in the Mississippi River Bird’s Foot Delta
• A genetic stock assessment project on pantropical spotted dolphin populations off the coast of Louisiana 

These projects would address the natural resource injuries as a result of the spill, create and enhance natural habitat for birds and other species and help improve our understanding of pantropical spotted dolphin distribution in the Gulf of Mexico, leading to improved population assessments and more effective management.

For more information about where to submit public comments please visit the NOAA Damage Assessment, Remediation, and Restoration Program’s web story 

Please reach out to Daniel.Hahn@noaa.gov.