In the RESTORE Council’s 2016 Comprehensive Plan Update: Restoring the Gulf Coast’s Ecosystem and Economy, the Council outlined the following commitments to Gulf Stakeholders:
 
Commitment to Engagement, Inclusion, and Transparency

• Seek broad participation and input from the diverse stakeholders who live, work, and play in the Gulf Coast region in both the continued development of the Comprehensive Plan and the ultimate selection and funding of ecosystem restoration activities
• Provide opportunities to facilitate the formation of strategic partnerships and collaboration on innovative ecosystem restoration projects, programs, and approaches
• Offer public engagement opportunities that reflect the richness and diversity of Gulf Coast communities to ensure ongoing public participation in the Council’s restoration efforts
• Build on its commitment to the stakeholders of the Gulf Coast by developing a Tribal policy to ensure effective coordination and consultation with federally-recognized Tribes

 
Maintain and Enhance Public Engagement and Transparency
The Council fully appreciates the importance of strong, productive, and predictable public engagement and maintaining transparency throughout its operations and decision-making. The Council is committed to setting and maintaining the highest standard for public engagement and transparency. To that end, the Council reaffirms its commitment to the following:

• Project evaluation and selection will be conducted in the most open manner feasible.
• The Council will support engagement with all stakeholders, including under-represented communities and federally-recognized Tribes.
• The Council will refine its processes for considering public input on draft FPLs before finalizing changes to the final FPL.
• The Council will continue to explore the use of webinars and other creative tools to increase transparency and opportunities for public participation.

 
The Council is continuing to create innovative ways to provide Gulf Stakeholders with additional opportunities to engage, submit comments, and participate in ongoing education opportunities.
 
Public Comment
The RESTORE Council requests public comment periodically to provide Gulf stakeholders the opportunity to give feedback on Council activities. Find out about existing and past public comment periods and review Response to Comments documents.
 
RESTORE Education Opportunities Series
In September 2018, the RESTORE Council began providing webinars as an opportunity for Gulf stakeholders to learn more about our activities as part of a new initiative, RESTORE Education Opportunities Series (REOS). REOS is a collection of webinars aimed to not only provide education related to the path towards the next Funded Priorities List, but also to return to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill to explain how the RESTORE Council and similar restoration efforts are working to restore the Gulf.
 
Public Events Calendar
The Council hosts webinars and public meetings to provide overviews on Council activities and solicit comments from Gulf stakeholders. Opportunities for engagement with the Council will be listed on our public events calendar.
 
RESTORE Council eBlasts
If you would like to receive automatic email updates on the RESTORE Council activities, grant announcements, public meetings and/or public comment period for one or more of the Gulf Coast states, please subscribe to RESTORE Council eBlasts. This is a two-step process, once you have subscribed, check your email for a one-time link from noreply@restorethegulf.gov. If the email is not in your inbox, please check your spam or junk folder. You can add or delete subscription items at any time.
 
Announcements
If you have recently subscribed to RESTORE Council eBlasts and want to see current and past announcements, you can view our announcements page.

For General Questions or Comments:
Keala J. Hughes
Director of External Affairs & Tribal Relations
keala.hughes@restorethegulf.gov
(504) 717-7235
 
or email us at RestoreCouncil@restorethegulf.gov