President Barack Obama's point person on the Gulf coast's restoration will recommend paying for it with some of the billions of dollars in civil penalties that could be collected from companies responsible for the oil spill.

That recommendation by Navy Secretary Ray Mabus will be made in a report he will release Tuesday, a portion of which was obtained by The Associated Press. A senior administration official said the White House would endorse the proposal. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the announcement was not yet made.

Dedicating fines levied against BP PLC and other companies involved in the April 20 accident to restoration will require a change in law.