The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (Council) is seeking public comment on a proposal of whether to amend its 2015 Initial Funded Priorities List (Initial FPL) in order to approve $3,000,000 in implementation funding for the Deer Island Beneficial Use Site in Mississippi and $2,250,089 in planning and implementation funding for Marsh Restoration in Fish River and Oyster Bay in Alabama.
Before voting whether to approve funding, the Council will open this FPL amendment for a 32-day public comment period beginning today Thursday, June 24, 2021 and concluding at 11:59 pm CT on July 26, 2021. You may submit those comments using one of the two methods below:
By Email to: restorecouncil@restorethegulf.gov
Email submission of comments ensures timely receipt.
By U.S. Mail: Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council
Attn: Amendment Public Comment
500 Poydras Street, Suite 1117
New Orleans, LA 70130
Mail must be postmarked no later than July 26, 2021 to be included in this public comment period.
Background:
Pursuant to the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act of 2012 (33 U.S.C. § 1321(t) and note) (RESTORE Act), the Council is responsible for administering portions of Deepwater Horizon oil spill settlement funds for the purpose of restoring the environment and economy of the Gulf coast. The Council administers two funding programs, one of which is the Council-Selected Restoration Component, or “Bucket 2.” Under Bucket 2, the Council votes to approve Gulf ecosystem restoration projects and programs proposed by the Council members. Bucket 2 projects and programs approved for funding by the Council are included in what is referred to as a Funded Priorities List (FPL).
FPLs include activities in two categories. Category 1 activities are approved for Bucket 2 funding. Such approval requires a Council vote as set forth in the RESTORE Act. To be approved in Category 1, a project or program must have documentation demonstrating that all applicable environmental laws have been addressed. For example, a construction project would need documentation demonstrating compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other applicable laws.
Category 2 activities are Council priorities for potential future funding, but are not currently approved for funding. As appropriate, the Council reviews the activities in Category 2 in order to determine whether to move the given activity to Category 1 and approve it for funding via a Council vote. Such funding approvals are done via amendments to the FPL containing the given project(s). FPL amendments are also required for other changes to listed projects (e.g., material changes in scope or cost, transfer of sponsorship to another Council member). The projects that are the subject of this proposed FPL amendment are described in the document found in the link below.
Learn more about
Keala J. Hughes
Director of External Affairs & Tribal Relations
(504) 717-7235