Secretary Mabus Issues Oil Spill Disaster Restoration Plan

On Tuesday, September 28th Secretary Mabus released his comprehensive restoration plan in response to the Gulf Coast oil spill disaster.

A full copy of the report can be found at http://www.restorethegulf.gov/.

The report entitled, "America's Gulf Coast: A Long Term Recovery Plan after the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill", focuses on three central requirements for recovery including the environment, economy and health and human services.

The report includes a chapter entitled "Nonprofit Recovery" which outlines the state of nonprofits along the Gulf Coast, how the disaster has impacted the sector, how nonprofits are responding to local needs, and recommendations for actions and initiatives to help nonprofits recover.

The report outlines the creation of a Gulf Coast Recovery Council to lead the long‐term ecosystem, economic, and health recovery in the Gulf. The council would be made up of state and federal representatives, and federally-recognized Gulf tribal organizations.

The report also calls on Congress to dedicate a significant amount of any civil penalties obtained from parties responsible for the oil spill under the Clean Water Act to the recovery of the region that was damaged, and to those impacted by its effects. The Gulf Coast Recovery Council would oversee and implement these and other sources of funding Congress may appropriate with the goal of a coordinated federal, state, and local long-term recovery strategy.

In the report appendices, the federal government states that it will create a recovery toolkit to help stakeholders, including nonprofits, access federal programs and navigate the Gulf Coast Claims Facility process. The toolkit will identify federal programs that may be relevant to communities in different aspects of recovery. The information will be distributed in hard copy across the Gulf, integrated into the disasterrecovery.gov platform, and publicized through a series of technical assistance workshops and webinars. The report does not specify when the toolkit will be released.

Of note, here is a brief outline of the recovery strategy recommendations included in the “Nonprofit Recovery” section of the report:

Enhanced Coordination: Information on constituents’ needs and access to services is crucial. Therefore there should be data and information sharing across sector and state lines so that resources are directed to those most in need. Nonprofits need to work closely with state and local entities, and faith-based organizations, because all of these stakeholders play an important part in the recovery and have a deep understanding of the specific cultural and ethnic communities impacted by the spill.

Increase Public Awareness of Need: The nonprofit sector has experienced a huge financial gap since the disaster with increased demands, and stagnant or decreased funding. Public understanding of the region’s challenges and needs can help spur fundraising efforts. Therefore it is recommended that coordinating bodies and infrastructure organizations such as state nonprofit associations can proactively communicate nonprofit needs to the media and public, in a mindful way that does not diminish the role of the responsible party.

Leverage Volunteers and Community Assets: Utilize volunteers to fill in the resource gaps nonprofits are experiencing and to meet the increasing demands of clients. Neighboring models and skills‐based volunteering can amplify the human resource capacity of nonprofits.

Synthesize Additional Needs Assessment: Conduct comprehensive research about the impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on the region and the opportunities for nonprofits to lead in the recovery.

Enhance Fundraising Capacity: Nonprofits should utilize their state service commission, which has the potential to serve as an information hub and connector between nonprofits and funding sources. In addition, nonprofits should look into utilizing VISTA volunteers who can undertake projects that augment the nonprofit's fundraising capability and capacity.

For more information about the restoration plan please contact Elisabeth Gehl at elisabeth@lano.org.