FUNDING OF OIL SPILL SCIENCE IN LOUISIANA: 50 PROJECTS AND STILL COUNTING

Abstract

ABSTRACT Immediately following the Exxon Valdez incident, Alaska, California, Texas, and Louisiana law makers enacted complementary legislation to the federal Oil Pollution Act of 1990. Among other things, the Louisiana legislation provides $530,000 annually, through the Louisiana Applied and Educational Oil Spill Research and Development Program (OSRADP), to underwrite oil spill research. Although in some areas interest in oil spill research may be waning, this is not the case in Louisiana. In fact, the program may be getting stronger. Since the fall of 1993, the OSRADP has awarded 83 grants in support of 50 projects (some are 2- year projects); the average award has been $46,925. This paper briefly summarizes projected completed as of May 1999. Through the coordination and cooperation of industry, government, and university community, OSRADP's research mission has promoted scientific endeavors based on a 1- or 2-year turnaround plan. This mission requires rigorous oversight and a dedicated research commitment. OSRADP's goals and objectives are designed to ensure all research projects are applied in nature and designed to take advantage of synergies. The program focuses on: (1) education, training, and public awareness; (2) remote sensing and mapping; (3) spill response, cleanup, and harmful ecological consequences; and (4) spills-of opportunity. It is critical that the science developed with OSRADP support is incorporated into the oil industry's planning and response strategies with the approval and support of the various regulatory agencies. Investment in the research initiatives can only be justified when the regulatory community incorporates the research results/material in their oil spill cleanup protocols. Louisiana takes the position that planning and response can be enhanced by good science and supports this philosophy by annually underwriting up to 14 research projects.