NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
Jan. 6, 2009
Vol. 39, No. 3
Contact: Rob Hossler, DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife, (302) 735-3600; Melinda Carl, DNREC Public Affairs, (302) 739-9902; or Ben Sherman, NOAA, (301) 713-3066 x178
NOAA and Partner Agencies Accepting Public Comments on
Plan to Restore the Delaware River after 2004 Oil Spill
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), as well as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the states of Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey are seeking public comment on the Draft Damage Assessment and Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment (Draft DARP/EA) for the M/T Athos I (Athos) oil spill on the Delaware River. This comment period is the last step before the selection of final restoration projects and submittal of the damage claim to the U.S. Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund.
On Nov. 26, 2004, the Athos struck a submerged anchor while preparing to dock in Paulsboro, N.J. The anchor punctured the vessel, spilling nearly 265,000 gallons of crude oil into the Delaware River. In the weeks and months that followed, the oil spread downriver, affecting fish, wildlife, and habitat along more than 280 miles of shoreline of the Delaware and its tributaries.
The Oil Pollution Act designates state and federal agencies, including NOAA, as natural resource trustees that are responsible for assessing natural resource losses and restoring resources to baseline conditions – the conditions that would have existed had the incident not occurred.
The trustees’ assessment of the Athos oil spill showed evidence of injury to shoreline, aquatic, birds and wildlife and/or their associated habitats, as well as to the area’s recreational resources. The proposed restoration projects in the plan address those injuries, including:
• Freshwater tidal wetlands restoration at John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge (Pa.)
• Creation of oyster reefs (N.J., Del.)
• Darby Creek dam removal and stream habitat restoration (Pa.)
• Habitat restoration (marsh, grassland, and meadow) at Mad Horse Creek Wildlife Management Area (N.J.)
• Shoreline restoration at Lardner’s Point (Pa.)
• Blackbird Reserve Wildlife Area habitat restoration (pond and pasture enhancement) (Del.)
• Improving the Stow Creek boat ramp (N.J.)
• Installation of a rock jetty at Augustine Boat Ramp to address ongoing shoaling immediately offshore of the boat ramp (Del.)
• Enhancing the recreational trail on Little Tinicum Island (Pa.)
The Draft DARP can be found at http://www.darrp.noaa.gov/. To submit a question or comment on the Draft DARP and Environmental Assessment for Athos, please send an e-mail to: NOS.AthosComments@noaa.gov; a fax to: 301-713-1229; or, a letter to: NOAA Office of General Counsel for Natural Resources, GCNR, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 15103, Silver Spring, MD 20910. The deadline for comments is February 20, 2009.
NOAA understands and predicts changes in the earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and conserves and manages our coastal and marine resources. Visit http://www.noaa.gov.
On the Web:
NOAA Damage Assessment, Remediation, and Restoration Program: http://www.darrp.noaa.gov.
