ELI Gulf Program Seminars

The Environmental Law Institute has hosted a number of seminars on issues related to Gulf coast restoration and recovery. Click on the links below to access expanded descriptions, audio recordings, and written summaries of the seminars.

Resilient Approaches for Municipalities to Address Flooding in Mississippi: Green Infrastructure and Wetlands
February 14, 2020

This webinar hosted by the Environmental Law Institute and the Gulf Coast Community Design Studio explored tools for municipalities (and their NGO partners) looking to address flooding in coastal Mississippi, with a primary focus on green infrastructure and wetlands. A recording of the webinar is available here, and the slides are available here.

RESTORE Council Comprehensive Plan: Questions and Answers
September 21, 2016

The webinar convened RESTORE Council staff (including Executive Director Justin Ehrenwerth) to provide background on the plan and answer questions from the audience. The goal was to provide information that will inform the public and enhance the public’s ability to provide meaningful comments.

Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts: Using Coordination and Leveraging to Enhance Gulf Restoration
March 7, 2016

This webinar brought together representatives from federal, state, and local government to discuss how coordination and leveraging are playing a role in Gulf restoration. The goal of this webinar was to understand what opportunities are available, and what more can be done, to make Gulf restoration greater than the sum of its parts.

BP Proposed Consent Decree Released: Details of the Deal and Gulf Restoration Planning
November 3, 2015

The webinar convened experts to discuss the Consent Decree and Natural Resource Damages. The goal of the webinar was to spark discussion, provide answers to questions, and facilitate productive public participation in this important milestone in Gulf restoration.

RESTORE Council Funded Priorities List: Timelines, Participation, and Next Steps
August 25, 2015

On August 13, 2015, the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council released its draft Initial Funded Priorities List (“FPL”). The draft FPL proposes “to focus on 10 key watersheds across the Gulf”, as well as on some Gulf-wide initiatives, at a cost of approximately $140 million. This webinar convened three members of the Council staff (along with moderator Bethany Kraft from the Ocean Conservancy) to discuss the draft FPL. The webinar began with presentations from Council staff, after which the floor was opened for questions and discussion.

Restoring the Gulf of Mexico: A Year in Review
June 24, 2015

The series premiere provided an overview of how restoration efforts have unfolded over the last year and where these efforts might be heading.

Climate Change, Community Resilience, and Restoration in the Gulf of Mexico
April 10, 2015

This webinar brought together a panel of experts to discuss the complex intersection of climate change, community resilience, and Gulf of Mexico restoration, focusing on the challenges of and opportunities for creating restoration projects that both incorporate climate change considerations and are responsive to the needs of coastal communities.

Deepwater Horizon Litigation: Where Things Stand and What Is Next
January 14, 2015

The webinar brought together leading experts on the oil spill litigation to discuss the first two phases of the trial, including the court’s ruling that the oil spill was the result of BP’s gross negligence and willful misconduct, and previewed some of the major issues that will be addressed in Phase III.

The New RESTORE Act Regulations, Notice, and Guidelines from Treasury
August 28, 2014

The Treasury Department, tasked with overseeing implementation of the RESTORE Act, released several important rules and guidance documents  relevant to the administration, distribution of funds, and proposal of projects and programs. This webinar featured a panel of experts to provide an overview of these complex and interrelated documents, with special focus on the Treasury Department’s interim final rule for administering the Restoration Trust Fund.  

Implementing the RESTORE the Gulf Coast States Act: Key Considerations and Opportunities
July 30, 2012

This seminar brought together experts to discuss the key considerations and opportunities ahead in implementing the RESTORE Act, including what the RESTORE Act could mean for the environment, economies, fishing communities, and citizens of the Gulf Coast states.

Early Restoration in the Gulf of Mexico: When, Why, and How
September 20, 2011 

This seminar brought together experts to discuss what early restoration is, how it fits within the broader Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) process, and the framework agreement and process.

The Oil Spill Liability Framework
May 24, 2010