Oil from the Deepwater Horizon spill struck the lands of the Pointe-Au-Chien Tribe in 2010. Photo from PAC Tribe
The Pointe-au-Chien Tribe of Louisiana was offered less than $75,000 to settle claims arising from the massive Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010. The spill damaged the tribe's lands and impacted tribal members' ability to fish and earn a living. But energy giant BP has yet to pay for the tribe's costs, a complaint filed in federal court alleges. "The Pointe-au-Chien Indian Tribe holds aboriginal title to over six square miles of land and waterbottoms in the coastal zone, including shorelines that were directly damaged or destroyed by oiling and other chemicals, including dispersants," the complaint states. "These lands and waterbottoms continue to be damaged and are subject to periodic re-oiling as a result of the presence of oil remaining from the MC252 spill and Louisiana’s dynamic coastal processes. As a result, PACIT is entitled to the cost of monitoring, assessing, planning, treating, removing, remediating and restoring the damage caused by the oil and future re-oiling under the Oil Pollution Act and/or the general maritime laws of the United States." As part of a settlement with the Department of Justice that was announced on October 5, BP agreed to pay $20.8 billion in fines to address the spill. The money will go to five states and local governments in those states but it's not clear whether the tribe is included. The money is in addition to the $43.8 billion that BP previously set aside to pay for the spill, The Maritime Executive reported. Get the Story:
Indian tribe suing companies for oil spill damages (The Houma Courier 10/11)
Louisiana Tribe Dissatisfied with BP Payout Offer (The Maritime Executive 10/11) Related Stories:
Editorial: Gulf of Mexico still at risk after massive 2010 oil spill (4/22)
Pointe Au Chien Tribe sues BP over Gulf of Mexico oil spill (4/19)
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