| The state legislature
created the Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator’s
Office (LOSCO) in 1991. LOSCO was made part of the
Governor’s
Office so that it could serve as the single point of
contact for all programs related to oil spills in Louisiana.
Our mission is to respond to oil spill events, restore
natural resources, protect economic infrastructure,
and safeguard public health. LOSCO is funded by a two-center
per barrel tax on all oil transported to or from vessels
at Louisiana marine terminals.
Insuring Effective
Cleanups - LOSCO
coordinates the state’s oil spill response
efforts, making sure that cleanups are properly completed.
Restoring
Public Resources - If a spill significantly
injures natural resources, LOSCO and its trustee partners
require the Responsible Party to compensate the public
for losses to land, wildlife, or services.
Focused on
Prevention - LOSCO and its government partners
clean up high risk sites before spills occur. We inform
citizens about oil spill risks and sponsor research
that improves prevention techniques.
A National
Innovator - LOSCO is one of the few state
oil spill response offices in the nation that tests
research in real spill situations. LOSCO is the first
such office in the United States that is designing
statewide regional restoration plans to expedite the
recovery of natural resources after oil spills.
A Government
Partner - LOSCO has built strong working
relationships with government agencies, representatives
of the oil and gas industry, and community groups.
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