Robert Hune-Kalter - Talk Radio News Service
Gulf Coast Claims Facility Kenneth Feinberg told the Energy and Commerce Committee Tuesday that defining eligibility for adequate compensation of the Gulf Coast tourism industry is a complex issue.
“’What constitutes an eligible claim?’ is a major question here,” Feinberg said. “It’s easy to compensate a motel or a restaurant on the beach where there is oil, you don’t need the wisdom of Solomon for that claim [but] proximity is going to be the problem here.”
Feinberg said the biggest hurdle he is facing concerning tourism claims is defining the distance from oil soaked beaches an entity can be without negating the plausibility of its claim.
Keith Overton, Senior Vice President of Tradewinds Resort, accused the media industry for falsely reporting that Florida’s beaches are ridden with tar, deterring prospective tourists.
“The media must be held accountable to accurate and fair reporting of the facts regarding this oil spill,” said Overton. “Hold them accountable for sensationalism and inaccuracies that are there.”
Feinberg said the claims facility should be operational in the next few weeks.
“I believe that the blue print that I have established for emergency payments to be paid as quickly as possible should be finished and available this week,” he said.