DEP to Host Public Meeting to Receive Input on the Natural Resource Damage Assessment Process

FORT WALTON BEACH – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will hold a public meeting to introduce and receive initial public input on the Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) process as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on Tuesday, November 30 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in Fort Walton Beach.

The NRDA process is a legal process to determine damages to the public’s natural resources and the appropriate methods for restoration following release of hazardous substances and oil. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Damage Assessment Remediation and Restoration Program is coordinating this effort with natural resource trustees in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, as well as, the United States Department of Interior and BP.

For more information on the NRDA process please visits NOAA’s NRDA Website at www.darrp.noaa.gov/about/nrda.html.

This event will take place:

Tuesday, November 30, 2010
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Emerald Coast Conference Center
1250 Miracle Strip Parkway Southeast
Fort Walton Beach, Florida 32548

For those unable to attend, comments can be submitted to Darryl Boudreau at Darryl.Boudreau@dep.state.fl.us,  or by mail at 160 Governmental Center, Pensacola, Florida 32502. Future meetings are planned and will be advertised prior to their occurrence.