ATLANTA - The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (Council) released a outline Initial Funded Priorities List (draft FPL). The Council is comprised of governors from the 5 affected Gulf States, the Secretaries from the U.S. Departments of the Interior, Commerce, Agriculture, and Homeland Security as well as the Secretary of the Army and the Administrator of the E.P.A.. Using funds from the settlement with Transocean Deepwater Inc., the Council is seeking to provide near-term, on-the-ground ecosystem benefits, while also conducting planning activities designed to build a foundation for future success as additional funds become accessible from other parties.
The Council is proposing to focus on ten key watersheds across the Gulf in order to concentrate and leverage funds to address critical ecosystem needs in high priority locations. The Council also suggests a suite of Gulf-wide investments designed to support holistic ecosystem restoration and lay the foundation for future success.
This outline FPL would fund approximately $139.6 million in restoration activities such as hydrologic restoration, land conservation and planning for large-scale restoration projects. In addition, the Council is reserving approximately $43.6 million for implementation of additional activities in the future, subject to further Council review.
The outline FPL is accessible for public and tribal review and review through Sept. 28, 2015.
"The Council is committed to working with Gulf communities and partners to invest in actions and plans that will ensure the long-term environmental health and economic prosperity of the Gulf Coast region," said U.S. Business Secretary Penny Pritzker, Chairperson of the Gulf Restoration Council. "We look forward to hearing from the community on prioritizing the suggested $183 million investment to restore the natural ecosystem, reinvigorate economies, create jobs, and rebuild the environment for generations to come."
The Council will host a series of public meetings across the Gulf Coast to discuss the outline FPL and seek public and tribal comments.
"This outline FPL focuses on key watersheds and estuaries across the Gulf, using foundational restoration techniques tailored to the needs of specific areas," said Justin R. Ehrenwerth, executive director of the Council. "We're fortunate to have a diverse and dedicated group of stakeholders who have helped to get us to this point. Once again, we ask for your feedback and assistance in ensuring that we do the right thing for the Gulf."
The schedule of upcoming public meetings to discuss the outline FPL and seek public input is as follows:
Aug. 20, 2015
Texas A&M University
6300 Ocean Drive
Corpus Christi, Texas 48412
6:00 p.m. CST
Aug. 26, 2015
FWC Fish & Wildlife Research Institute
100 8th Ave. SE
Saint Petersburg, Florida 33701
6:00 p.m. EST
Aug. 27, 2015
Gulf Coast State College
5230 West US Hwy. 98
Panama City, Florida 32401
6:00 p.m. CST
Sept. 1, 2015
Battle House Renaissance Mobile
26 North Royal Saint
Mobile, Alabama 36602
6:00 p.m. CST
Sept. 10, 2015
Coast Coliseum & Convention Center
2350 Beach Blvd.
Biloxi, Mississippi 39531
5:00 p.m. CST
Sept. 15, 2015
Homer L. Hitt Alumni Center
2000 Lakeshore Drive
New Orleans, Louisiana 70148
5:30 p.m. CST
Sept. 16, 2015
Morgan City Municipal Auditorium
728 Myrtle Saint
Morgan City, Louisiana 70380
5:30 p.m. CST
Full meeting details and the outline FPL can be found on the Council's website at
www.RestoreTheGulf.gov.
The public is encouraged to provide comments online at
www.RestoreTheGulf.gov (preferred method); by mail to Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council, Attention: Outline FPL Comments, Hale Boggs Federal Building, 500 Poydras Street, Suite 1117, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130; by e-mail to
[email protected]; or in person during formal public review periods at any of the public meetings.
Background
The Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast Act of 2012 (RESTORE Act) established the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (Council) and the Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund (Trust Fund), and dedicates 80 percent of Clean Water Act penalties resulting from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill to the Trust Fund, for restoration plans in the Gulf Coast region. The Council is responsible for administering 60 percent of the total backing allocated from the Trust Fund: 30 percent (plus interest) under the Council-Selected Restoration Component and 30 percent under the Spill Impact Component. The Council is chaired by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, and members include the Governors of the States of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, as well as the Secretaries of the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Homeland Security, the Army and the Interior, and the Administrator for the E.P.A.. The Council is responsible for helping to restore the ecosystems and economies of the Gulf Coast region by developing and overseeing implementation of a Comprehensive Project and carrying out other responsibilities. Read more about the Comprehensive Plan, the RESTORE Act and the Council at
www.RestoreTheGulf.gov.
Connect with E.P.A. Region four on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/eparegion4
And on Twitter: @EPASoutheast
