Gulf restoration meeting in Mobile

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council held its first public meeting in Mobile, Ala. today, December 11, 2012.  The Council, which was established by the Resources and Ecosystem Sustainability, Tourism, Opportunities Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act of 2012 (RESTORE Act), will develop and oversee implementation of a comprehensive plan to help restore the ecosystem and economy of the Gulf Coast region in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

The Council is comprised of governors from the five affected Gulf States, the Secretaries from the U.S. Departments of Interior, Commerce, Agriculture, and Homeland Security as well as the Secretary of the Army and the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Gulf States selected and President Obama appointed the Secretary of Commerce as the Council’s Chair.

The Council will work with the State and local communities to identify projects and programs that will restore the region’s natural resources and help benefit local businesses, boost their economies, and create jobs. In order to ensure robust public input throughout the entire process, the Council will hold several public meetings and listening sessions in each of the Gulf States in the coming months.

The council said it plans on directed money towards ecosystem restoration, tourism programs and job creation. Governor Robert Bentley said the people of the Gulf Coast and their livelihoods should be at the center of the planning process.

“We do need to repair our beaches. We need to repair our ecosystem and our economy, but our economy and the lives of the people tie together, and we need to make sure we don’t forget those people,” said Governor Robert Bentley.

The council does not know how much money will be directed to the Gulf Coast or when it will arrive. But it said its important to have a plan in place before it is divvied out.

Acting U.S. Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson, Alabama Governor Robert Bentley and other federal, state and local officials will participate in the meeting. This meeting will give the public the opportunity to learn about the Council and provide feedback on the Council’s restoration planning efforts during a designated public comment period.

To learn more about the Gulf Restoration Council and RESTORE Act, click here