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Practice Area: Gulf Coast Oil Spill |
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Gulf Coast Oil Spill
On April 20, 2010, the explosion on the Deepwater Horizon caused a tragic loss of life. We now know it is also the root of a major oil spill-leaking over 210,000 gallons every day since the explosion. Some experts fear the environmental impact of the spill may surpass the damage done by the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Prince William Sound, Alaska.
The oil spill could have catastrophic and lasting impacts on a number of industries in the Gulf Coast area. Even those who don't depend on the Gulf or its beaches may be affected because the oil spill could damage water and soil quality. This damage can decrease property values and disrupt business operations. Some of these effects may be hard to predict, but the harm to certain industries-like commercial fishing, tourism and drill operations-is easy to anticipate.
For the Gulf Coast, the oil spill is likely to have a destructive and long-lasting impact on the commercial fishing trade. Shrimp and oysters cannot be harvested in contaminated water. In addition to the mass fatality and contamination expected among fish and other ocean life, the effects of the oil spill on the reproductive ability of fish and other sea animals and the interruption of the natural food chain could damage the state's commercial fishing industry for years.
The Gulf Coast beaches are a major attraction and the damage will likely have a heavy impact on tourism, causing serious losses for hotels, restaurants, recreation and tour operations. Ecotourism will also suffer. The oil spill is also expected to damage the delicate swamps and wetlands near the coast-which are home to a variety of threatened and endangered birds and other creatures. The Delta National Wildlife Refuge is already threatened by the oil spill.
Due to the risk of fire created by the oil spill, other oil rigs in the Gulf could be at risk as well. The Ocean Endeavor, an offshore rig that was operating about 10 miles from the Deepwater Horizon, was evacuated after the explosion on the Deepwater Horizon as a precaution. Certainly, the oil spill has caused loss of income and profits on the Ocean Endeavor. And other operations in the Gulf could be affected as well.
Under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, passed in response to the Exxon Valdez spill, individuals and businesses that are damaged financially by the oil spill may be entitled to recovery of damages for loss of income and lost profits. The Oil Pollution Act says that those responsible for the oil spill are responsible for lost profits and loss of income caused by the oil spill. |
