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Developing FPL 3- Using A Phased Approach

The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (Council) announces an update to the planning process for its next round of Gulf ecosystem restoration funding approvals. The purpose of today’s notice is to provide advance notification of the public comment opportunity on the proposed first phase of funding. Pursuant to the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies Act of the Gulf Coast States of 2012 (RESTORE Act), the Council administers funding for Gulf ecosystem restoration. Through the Council-Selected Restoration Component or “Bucket 2”, the Council approves projects and programs for funding in what is called a Funded Priorities List (FPL). To date, the Council has approved two FPLs. Until recently, the Council was planning on developing its next FPL, called FPL 3, as a single process. The Council is now proposing to develop FPL 3 in two phases.

The Council develops FPLs through collaboration among its members and with feedback from stakeholders across the Gulf. As a result of this collaborative process, it appears developing FPL 3 in two phases would enable the Council to respond to urgent ecosystem needs, save money, and take advantage of important partnership opportunities to advance large-scale ecosystem restoration in the near term. The Council will seek public comment as it considers two ecosystem projects as the potential first phase of FPL 3. In the second phase, the Council would consider restoration projects and programs that address additional ecosystem needs across the Gulf.

The two large-scale proposals under consideration are the River Reintroduction into the Maurepas Swamp in Louisiana, and conservation of critical coastal habitat in the Perdido watershed in Alabama. These two projects will be considered by the Council in the first phase of FPL 3, referred to as FPL 3a. The proposed FPL 3a will adhere to the FPL development processes committed to by the Council, particularly as they relate to best available science (BAS), public engagement and transparency, and the Council’s recently finalized Planning Framework.

The Council is currently seeking detailed funding proposals on the two potential FPL 3a projects from their respective state sponsors. These proposals will then be posted on the Council’s website for transparency. The Council will also post the results of the external BAS reviews and an internal science panel review of the two projects.

Learn more about

FPL 3a and 3b
2019 Planning Framework
RESTORE Council Members
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Keala J. Hughes
Director of External Affairs & Tribal Relations
(504) 717-7235
keala.hughes@restorethegulf.gov