City Accepts $45M Settlement Offer On Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

NEW ORLEANS – Today, Mayor Mitch Landrieu announced that the City of New Orleans has accepted a $45 million settlement offer for the alleged economic damages that resulted from the April 20, 2010, Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico that devastated the region’s coastal wetlands. The settlement, which becomes final upon BP’s acceptance of the City’s signed agreement, does not include claims, rights and causes of action asserted by the Wisner Donation Trust.

         “This disaster not only killed 11 people, but it also became the worst environmental disaster in American history,” said Mayor Landrieu. “Let me be clear: this disaster devastated our environment, numerous families and businesses and local economy – from our fisheries to hospitality industries. We will continue to deal with the long-term impacts of this disaster for years to come. However, this settlement is a positive step by BP to begin to repair the damage done. Moving forward, government and industry must come together to be more aggressive in not only restoring our coast, but also preventing the next oil spill wherever it may occur.”

         The City will use the settlement funds for resilience initiatives, including water management and coastal and ecosystem restoration.

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         “This settlement is a down payment on our city’s and children’s futures,” said Mayor Landrieu. “As we look to our city’s tricentennial in 2018, New Orleans remains committed to being one of the nation’s most resilient cities by proactively preparing for and responding to any challenges that come our way – and building our great city back not as she was, but as she always should have been.”

         Councilmember-At-Large Stacy Head said, “As Chair of the Council Budget Committee, I am optimistic that the settlement funds will be used to improve our failing infrastructure, particularly minor streets, while incorporating critical storm water management strategies.”

         District C Councilmember Nadine Ramsey said, “As Chair of the Committee on Public Works, Sanitation, and Environment, I welcome this settlement as a commitment to rebuild the damage that has negatively impacted the City's economy.”

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         District D Councilmember Jarred Brossett said, “The oil spill greatly damaged both our environment and economy. I am glad that this settlement will provide funds to help us recover and prevent the next disaster in whatever form it may take.”

         On April 20, 2010, BP’s Macondo Oil Well blew out and the Deepwater Horizon exploded and sank into the Gulf of Mexico. Over the next several months, millions of barrels of oil spewed from BP’s well. The magnitude of the oil discharge resulted in catastrophic losses to the environment, business and industry, the local economy, and, more importantly, to a way of life for many of the citizens of the southeast Louisiana Gulf Coast.

         After the oil spill, over 57,000 square miles of Gulf waters were closed to Louisiana’s recreational and commercial fishing. Over 10.4 million feet of absorbent and containment boom were deployed in attempt to contain the oil spill. But the waters, marshes and beaches in/around the area received direct impacts from the oil’s discharge from the Macondo well. The immediate and direct impact to the southeast Louisiana community was obvious with a long-term impact being equally recognizable.

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