MEDIA ALERT

JACKSON, MISS., (Nov. 17, 2010)---The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) will hold a public meeting Monday, November 22, 2010, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Fleming Education Center auditorium located on the University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Campus, 730 East Beach Boulevard, Long Beach, Mississippi.

The purpose of the meeting is to provide information to the public concerning the state’s Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) and to answer any questions the general public may have regarding the process.

“NRDA is basically the scientific process that allows MDEQ, as trustee, the authority to seek compensation for restoration of the states natural resources,” said MDEQ Executive Director Trudy D. Fisher. “This process is complex, and one that may last many years, we want to keep the public involved and informed every step of the way.”

During the meeting, Fisher plans to further define the NRDA process as established under the Oil Pollution Act that determines the type and amount of restoration needed for compensating the public following an oil spill. Fisher will also illustrate MDEQ’s role in the process and what progress has been made. Questions and comments from the general public will also be heard.

Fisher, MDEQ and some of the brightest scientific minds the state of Mississippi has to offer are working diligently to ensure the state is fully compensated for injuries sustained to the natural environment following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

For directions to the campus, please visit http://www.usm.edu/gulfcoast/directions.php, and for a campus map and to the Fleming Education Center please visit,

http://www.usm.edu/gulfcoast/images/campus-maps/78092_campusmap-090811-fixed.pdf.

Those who require auxiliary aids or special accommodations should call Donna Lum at 601-948-3071 or email her at donna.lum@neel-schaffer.com.

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Anna Masters. Neel-Schaffer Inc. O: 601.351.2784 C: 769.798.6322 F: 601.948.3178