WASHINGTON, Jan. 5, 2017 - The Comprehensive
Plan Update to guide some $3 billion in investments to improve the
resources and economies of the Gulf Coast in the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon oil
spill was recently finalized.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, in his role as chair of
the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration
Council, released the updated plan in late
December. It has been unanimously adopted by the five Gulf States (Alabama,
Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas), the Departments of Agriculture, Army,
Commerce and Interior, as well as the Coast Guard and the EPA.
The Deepwater Horizon spill is considered the largest
marine oil spill in the history of the
petroleum industry. Following the explosion and sinking of the Deepwater
Horizon oil rig on April 20, 2010, a sea-floor oil gusher flowed for 87 days, until it was finally capped on
July 15, 2010.
The revised plan commits to working with the public to
devote so-called RESTORE
funds to large-scale ecosystem restoration and establishes a 10-year funding
strategy.
Enacted in 2012, the Resources
and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities and Revived Economies of
the Gulf Coast States Act (RESTORE Act) dedicates 80 percent of all
administrative and civil penalties related to the spill to a Gulf Coast
Restoration Trust Fund. It also outlines how the funds can be used to restore
and protect the natural resources, ecosystems, fisheries, marine and wildlife
habitats, beaches, coastal wetlands and economy of the Gulf Coast region.
The Comprehensive Plan Update builds on progress the
Restoration Council has made since its establishment, including prioritizing
over $183 million in restoration investments announced in December 2015.
With resolution of the civil claims from the Deepwater
Horizon oil spill, the council says it was able to revise its Initial
Comprehensive Plan to “reflect lessons learned” and the timing and amount of
restoration funding.
The council incorporated modifications to the update based
on public input and says the updated plan refines the process for making
decisions based on “public engagement and the best available science.”
Going forward, the council plans to focus on collaboration among
its members and with other partners to “fully leverage” available funds and
further advance comprehensive Gulf restoration.
In addition, the council says it will support ecosystem
restoration that builds local workforce capacity.
The updated plan “builds the foundation for state and federal
partners to fulfill their commitments to the 22 million Americans who live in
Gulf coastal counties and parishes to revitalize their economies and the Gulf
ecosystem they depend upon,” Vilsack says.
“The Comprehensive Plan Update reflects unprecedented
collaboration between federal, state, tribal and local partners and creates the
framework for ongoing coordination, engagement and transparency as we continue
to invest in strategies to restore this vital region.”
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