T/B MORRIS J. BERMAN OIL SPILL: RESTORATION PROJECTS OVERVIEW

Abstract

ABSTRACT The January 7, 1994, barge Morris J. Berman grounding and oil spill off Punta Escambrín, near San Juan, Puerto Rico, resulted in injury to natural resources along the shoreline and impaired their use for an extended time. Three major injury categories were pursued by the Trustees and the restoration projects for these injuries are presented in this paper. Including interest, approximately $10M in settlement funds are being used to fund 6 restoration projects. About $6 million of the settlement funds is being used for three projects to restore eolianite reef habitat, a type of fossilized sand dune, and other reef resources injured by the barge grounding and subsequent spill. One project, called the Condado Coral Trail project, will install artificial reef modules in the Condado Lagoon, approximately 1 mile southeast of the barge grounding site. Also in the Condado Lagoon, a 32-acre dredge hole will be brought back to historic elevations through beneficial use of dredged marine sediments. The third reef project entails acquisition of shoreline and coastal property which is intended to provide reef resource services comparable to those lost as a result of the oil spill and grounding. This parcel provides habitat for over 40 rare species of plants and animals including a major nesting beach for the endangered Leatherback Sea Turtle. The acquisition project also serves as the sole compensatory restoration project for lost recreational beach use. The parcel is being designated as a Puerto Rico Natural Reserve thereby allowing the public to use the land, including its unspoiled beaches, for recreational purposes. Finally, three restoration projects are being implemented to compensate for the lost historic visitor use services at the San Juan National Historic Site. More than 123,000 visitors to the El Morro and San Cristobal forts were affected by the spill for approximately six weeks. The first of the three projects includes Improving and Extending the Coastal Promenade, a walkway at the base of El Morro. The second is restoration of El Morro Water Battery and the third is cleaning and stabilizing certain exterior walls of the El Morro Fort.