The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) invites the public to review and comment on the Texmo Diesel Spill and Fire Draft Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment Addendum (dRPEAA) for the Texmo Diesel Spill. The plan proposes ways for the Service to use settlement funds received from Texmo. The comment period is from July 21 to August 19, 2021.
The funds total approximately $1.2 million paid to the Service for damages in 2006 (along with accrued interest), when a Texmo Oil Company Jobbers tanker truck accident resulted in the spilling of over seven thousand gallons of diesel into the Bill Williams River where it joins Lake Havasu on Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge in western Arizona.
The spill injured endangered species and migratory birds, delta marsh, desert wash, mixed riparian riparian
Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.
Learn more about riparian woodlands, and open water aquatic and upland desert habitats on the refuge. The preferred alternative in the dRPEAA proposes using funds to restore at least 27 acres of mesquite bosque habitat on the refuge, with invasive plant removal, irrigation, protection with fencing and planting nursery-grown seedlings.
Members of the public can view the documents and provide comments to the dRPEAA here [https://www.cerc.usgs.gov/orda_docs/CaseDetails?ID=981] or contact Kevin Russell by email at kevin_russell@fws.gov or phone at 602-889-5963 to obtain a hard copy.
