Partnership Update

The Department of Justice Charges BP with Gross Negligence

In a brief filed over the Labor Day weekend, the DOJ accused the Texas-based oil company of gross negligence in their management of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig. If gross negligence is proven, BP may be liable for close to $20 billion in Clean Water Act fines. According to Bruce Alpert of the Times-Picayune, DOJ’s brief states that the conduct of BP executives in the days before the disaster "would not be tolerated in a middling size company manufacturing dry goods for sale in a suburban mall."

In addition, DOJ lawyers quote a BP wells team leader’s comments in an email to BP executives. He said that there have been so "many last minute changes to the operation" that "rig leaders have finally come to their wits end. We are flying by the seat of our pants.''  For more information, read a Times Picayune article, Detroit Free Press article,  or Thomson Reuters News Service article.

Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill and Ecosystem Science Conference Announced

The Gulf of Mexico Alliance will host this conference January 20 – 23, 2013 in New Orleans, LA. Learn more.

Marine Debris Program Grant Opportunity Deadline is November 1, 2012

This funding supports locally driven, community-based marine debris prevention and removal projects that benefit coastal habitat, waterways, and wildlife including migratory fish. Learn more.

The Land Trust Alliance Southeast Program Announces Upcoming Conference Call Series

Contact the Southeast Program office to register: southeast@lta.org.

A BROADER MISSION FOR LAND TRUSTS? A Case Study in South Carolina

Wednesday, September 19 | 2:00 - 3:00 PM ET | Brad Wyche and Erin Knight, Upstate Forever

While many land trusts prefer the traditional role of focusing on land conservation work, a few organizations are pursuing a broader mission that includes land use, sustainable development, water quality, air quality and/or energy issues. This call will feature an example of the latter with Upstate Forever, a land trust that works in the ten-county upstate region of South Carolina. Join Brad Wyche, executive director, and Erin Knight, land trust director, for a conversation about Upstate Forever’s three areas of focus and the opportunities and challenges associated with its broader mission. View Upstate Forever’s five year strategic plan.

And next month,

SUPERB LAND TRUST BOARD MEMBERS

Thursday, October 18 I 2:00 – 3:00 PM ET I Suzi Wilkins Berl and Susie Hamrick Jones

Tune into this conversation to discuss Five Essential Tips on ways to develop stronger Boards and leaders for your organizations. The conversation will also focus on filling in resource holes, overseeing effective committees, setting annual goals for the Board, and undertaking Board evaluations. Discover how to move your board or yourself from under-performing to superb-performing!