Lowcountry Headlines

Lowcountry Headlines

 

$6M proposed settlement. Exxon/Mobil restoration of contaminated waters

CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) - Nearly $6.6 million from a proposed settlement with Exxon Mobil will go towards restoring Charleston area saltmarshes and building oyster reefs.

The money will be split among several state and federal agencies to reimburse administrative expenses related to the damage assessment of contaminants dumped into theAshley and Beaufort Rivers and about 100 acres of saltmarshes by the phosphate fertilizer industry since the late 1800s.

The vast majority of the settlement money will also fund future projects to restore damaged ecosystems.

Building oyster reefs is a big part of the plan, although the specifics of when and where have not been set.

Officials say oysters will help filter and improve water quality.

“We love the environment. We love the water. We love fishing. We love getting outside, so being able to maintain or protect our resources or restore them when they’ve been injured in the past is just a key to our quality of life here in South Carolina,” said Marine Habitat Restoration Specialist Howard Schnabolk.

He has been working under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to help secure the money from Exxon Mobil.

The agency was one of several plaintiffs in a federal complaint brought against Exxon Mobil Oil Corporation for recovery of damages for injury to, loss of, or destruction of natural resources.

The proposed settlement agreement for $6,589,211 has been posted on the federal register for public comment until June 7.

To read more:https://www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decree/file/1161256/download

To submit comments by email, send them to:pubcomment-ees.enrd@usdoj.gov.

To submit comments by mail, send them to: Assistant Attorney General, U.S. DOJ—ENRD, P.O. Box 7611, Washington, DC 20044–7611.

Copyright 2019 WCSC. All rights reserved.


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