NOAA and Partners Share Plan to Restore Delaware River from 2004 Oil Spill

January 6, 2009

NOAA, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the states of Pennsylvania, New
Jersey and Delaware are seeking public comment on a restoration plan to
repair and improve shoreline and habitats of the Delaware River damaged by a
vessel oil spill in 2004.

On Nov. 26, 2004, the Athos I, a large cargo vessel, struck a submerged
anchor while preparing to dock in Paulsboro, N.J. The anchor punctured the
hull, spilling nearly 265,000 gallons of crude oil into the Delaware River,
which resulted in damage to more than 280 miles of shoreline, affecting
habitats, aquatic organisms, birds and other wildlife, as well as hindering
recreational use of the river.

Under the Oil Pollution Act, NOAA and its state and federal partners are
trustees that evaluate the loss of natural resources from an oil spill and
restore the shoreline and habitat to pre-existing conditions. This comment
period is the last step before restoration projects are selected and funding
is sought from the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund for implementation. The
trustees developed the restoration plan for this large, complex spill after
an exhaustive incident response and natural resource damage assessment.

The damage assessment restoration plan recommends nine preferred restoration
projects intended to address shoreline injuries and loss of recreational use
in Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Costs for these projects are
expected to total more than $20 million. These projects will benefit coastal
communities and economies by improving the habitat, providing green jobs
during construction, and creating new opportunities to enjoy the river and
its native wildlife.

The proposed restoration projects are:

*       Freshwater tidal wetlands restoration at John Heinz National
Wildlife Refuge (Pa.)
*       Creation of oyster reefs (N.J., Del.)
*       Darby Creek dam removal and stream habitat restoration (Pa.)
*       Habitat restoration (marsh, grassland, and meadow) at Mad Horse
Creek Wildlife Management Area (N.J.)
*       Shoreline restoration at Lardner's Point (Pa.)
*       Blackbird Reserve Wildlife Area habitat restoration (pond and
pasture enhancement) (Del.)
*       Improving the Stow Creek boat ramp (N.J.)
*       Installation of a rock jetty at Augustine Boat Ramp to address
ongoing shoaling immediately offshore of the boat ramp (Del.)
*       Enhancing the recreational trail on Little Tinicum Island (Pa.)

The draft damage assessment and restoration plan for Athos I is located
online <http://www.darrp.noaa.gov/> . Questions or comments on the plan can
go by email to: NOS.AthosComme...@noaa.gov; by fax to: 301-713-1229; or by
mailed letter to: NOAA Office of General Counsel for Natural Resources,
GCNR, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 15103, Silver Spring, MD 20910. The
deadline for comments is Feb. 20, 2009.