By Eileen Fleming
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wwno/local-wwno-964739.mp3
New Orleans, La. – U-S Senator Mary Landrieu began the general session with the announcement.
"BP and the Department of Interior have reached an agreement to distribute early $1 billion to the Gulf Coast for environmental damage."
Trustees from five Gulf states and the federal government, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, will administer the fund. Anne Milling, founder of the coastal advocacy group Women of the Storm, says Louisiana stands to get a substantial amount.
"I was on a conference call with the governor's office about what Senator Landrieu just announced, which will guarantee $100 million for Louisiana from the get-go, and there's opportunity for us to get another maybe 100 or $200 million through NOAA and other avenues. I mean it's a really tremendous first step."
The Justice Department says the money will be used for rebuilding wetlands, replenishing beaches, restoring barrier islands and habitat for injured wildlife. It does not release the company from liability, bit allows restoration work to get started sooner.
For WWNO, I'm Eileen Fleming