Federal Panel Focusing On Gulf Restoration

By Eileen Fleming

New Orleans, La. – E-P-A Administrator Lisa Jackson is taking stock of what environmental groups and Gulf Coast officials see as the long-term issues facing the region after the oil spill. She's been appointed to lead President Obama's task force on restoring the Gulf ecosystem. The panel is charged with providing long-term financial help and also evaluating what residents see as major health concerns. Funding is expected to come from penalties BP is facing for Clean Water Act violations. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus - assigned by the president to recommend long-term recovery plans - says Congress should make sure most of BP's fines be funneled to the Gulf Coast, and a council be formed to oversee restoration projects.
For NPR News, I'm Eileen Fleming in New Orleans.