NFWF Announces $12.6 Million for Gulf Restoration Projects in Alabama

Projects funded as a part of initial investment of funds derived from settlement of criminal charges against BP and Transocean

WASHINGTON, D.C., Nov. 14, 2013 -- The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) today announced $12.6 million for three Alabama projects that address high priority conservation needs. The projects, developed in consultation with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and federal resource agencies, are designed to remedy harm or reduce the risk of future harm to natural resources that were affected by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

The moneys are the first disbursements from NFWF’s Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund, created earlier this year as part of the settlement between the U.S. Department of Justice, BP and Transocean to resolve certain criminal charges against both companies in relation to the spill.

Today’s announcement represents the initial obligation of funds from the first disbursements received by the Gulf Fund. Under the allocation formula and other provisions contained in the plea agreements, $356 million will be paid into the Gulf Fund over the next five years for conservation projects in the State of Alabama.

“The Alabama Gulf Coast is one of our greatest natural treasures, and we are committed to restoring and strengthening our coast from the impact of the oil spill,” Governor Robert Bentley said. “As part of our continued commitment to the people of south Alabama, restoration of our natural resources remains a top priority. These pilot projects, identified as priorities in the Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan (CCMP), which was coordinated by the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program with broad-based community participation, will be part of a larger effort designed to establish the long-term restoration of our water quality, natural habitat, and our economy. I want to thank all of our local, state and federal partners who are working with us in this long-term recovery effort.”

“The proposed projects are the culmination of months of work on the part of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and more importantly, our partner in these important conservation efforts, the State of Alabama,” said Jeff Trandahl, Executive Director and CEO of NFWF. “The Alabama team has worked with us to ensure these funds are directed to high priority conservation needs in coastal Alabama.”

In early 2013, a U.S. District Court approved two plea agreements resolving certain criminal charges against BP and Transocean related to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Provisions within the pleas direct a total of $2.544 billion to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation over a five-year period for project expenditures in all five Gulf States. The funds are to be used to support projects that remedy harm or reduce the risk of future harm to natural resources that were affected by the oil spill. 

“In the coming months and years, we look forward to strengthening the partnerships that will allow us to build strong consensus among stakeholders and interest groups to ensure the projects we fund have a lasting benefit to the State of Alabama and the Gulf of Mexico,” added Trandahl.