In August 2014, the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (Council) announced that members may begin submitting proposals to the Council for funding consideration. Click here for more information, including fact sheets detailing the Council's work, submission guidelines for Council members and the proposal evaluation and selection process.
Below please find detail regarding public engagement opportunities related to the development of the Council-Selected Restoration Component Draft Funded Priorities List. For more information or to provide input, email restorecouncil@restorethegulf.gov.
Years of dedicated public engagement on the part of State and federal Council members, in a variety of forums, yielded a wealth of information that supported the development of the ecosystem restoration goals and objectives outlined in the Initial Comprehensive Plan and have shaped the work of the Council. In an effort to ensure that public input provided to the Council and its predecessor, the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force, over the past four years is considered as the Council begins project evaluation and selection activities, the Council summarized public input regarding restoration in a Summary of Public Input: 2013-2013.
The Council’s charge under the Council-Selected Restoration Component is to fund restoration projects and programs that contribute to the comprehensive restoration of the Gulf ecosystem. It is the Council’s intent to select and fund an initial portfolio of projects—known as the Funded Priorities List (FPL)--that represents the best first investment toward achieving this goal with known funding and in keeping with the requirements of the RESTORE Act.
Council members accept project ideas in a number of ways. Click here for information on project submission. The Council welcomes all of your feedback, including consideration of the following questions:
1. What 5 words or phrases best describe your vision for a healthy Gulf of Mexico ecosystem in 5 years? 50 years?
2. People care about restoration, protection and enhancement of our natural resources for many different reasons. Why is ecosystem restoration important to you? What outcomes of restoration activities are most important to you?
3. What three activities do you most rely on or enjoy that depend on healthy natural resources in the Gulf of Mexico? Examples include: fishing, hunting, seafood, cultural heritage activities, bird watching, swimming, etc.
The Council will consolidate this input into a report and consider this high-level input when developing a draft FPL to identify which projects and programs closely resonate and align with what communities hope to see as outcomes of this important work. While the draft FPL will be published in the Federal Register to formally solicit public comment, various Council members may provide additional opportunities for public input (community conversations) prior to the release of a draft FPL. Dates, times and location information is posted below.
Louisiana
5:30-8:00PM
University of New Orleans
Homer Hitt Alumni Center
2000 Lakeshore Drive
New Orleans, La.
September 11, 2014
5:30-8:00 PM
Houma Municipal Auditorium
880 Verrett St, Houma, LA
Florida
September 23, 2014
1:00-2:00 PM
Webinar
To register:
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/657402498
October 22, 2014
FLDEP & FWC Public Meeting
6:00-9:00PM
Gulf Coast State College, Conference Center in Student Union East
5230 West U.S. Highway 98
Panama City, FL 32401