UMCES President Don Boesch Appointed to Gulf Oil Spill Commission

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 06/14/2010 - 6:09pm
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President Barack Obama has appointed Dr. Donald F. Boesch, President of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, to the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling.

Dr. Donald Boesch

UMCES President Dr. Donald Boesch

The bipartisan Commission, established through an Executive Order, is tasked with providing recommendations on how we can prevent – and mitigate the impact of – any future spills that result from offshore drilling. The Council is co-chaired by former two-term Florida Governor and former U.S. Senator Bob Graham and former Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency William K. Reilly. Panel members include Frances G. Beinecke, Donald Boesch, Terry D. Garcia, Cherry A. Murray, and Frances Ulmer.

A May 22 Executive Order outlines the Commission’s mission to:

  • Examine the relevant facts and circumstances concerning the root causes of the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster;
  • Develop options for guarding against, and mitigating the impact of, oil spills associated with offshore drilling, taking into consideration the environmental, public health, and economic effects of such options, including options involving:

(a) Improvements to Federal laws, regulations, and industry practices applicable to offshore drilling that would ensure effective oversight, monitoring, and response capabilities; protect public health and safety, occupational health and safety, and the environment and natural resources; and address affected communities; and

(b) Organizational or other reforms of Federal agencies or processes necessary to ensure such improvements are implemented and maintained.

  • Submit a final public report to the President with its findings and options for consideration within 6 months of the date of the Commission's first meeting.

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