This week BP released the report, Gulf of Mexico Environmental Recovery Restoration. In a message from Laura Folse, Executive Vice President, she states, “Areas that were affected are recovering and data BP has collected and analyzed to date do not indicate a significant long-term impact to the population of any Gulf species.” Many are saying this report is premature and cherry-picked.
The Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment Trustees, who are charged with scientifically establishing the damages caused by the spill, has release an official statement on the report.
“Citing scientific studies conducted by experts from around the Gulf, as well as this council, BP misinterprets and misapplies data while ignoring published literature that doesn’t support its claims and attempts to obscure our role as caretakers of the critical resources damaged by the spill.”
You can read full statement from the NRDA Trustees here. Many NGOs are also weighing in on the report such as this blog from National Wildlife Federation.