FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 28, 2013
GOVERNOR SCOTT SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH THE GULF CONSORTIUM TO IMPLEMENT RESTORE FUNDING
~The agreement marks significant progress in maximizing funds coming to Florida~
TALLAHASSEE –Governor Rick
Scott today announced that he has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the
Gulf Consortium to create a process to develop Florida’s State Expenditure Plan
for RESTORE funding.
Governor
Scott said, “We need to do everything in our power to make Florida communities
impacted by the BP oil spill whole again – and I’m pleased to work with the
Gulf Consortium to develop projects for the State Expenditure Plan.
Development of a comprehensive and thoughtful plan will ensure that Florida
moves towards environmental and economic recovery of the Gulf.”
"This
agreement with the Governor provides us with the opportunity to fully
coordinate the collective efforts of all levels of government to restore and
protect Florida's gulf waters," said Grover Robinson, Escambia County
Commissioner and Gulf Consortium Chairman. "The Gulf Consortium is ready
to get to work on a transparent plan that will best enhance the economic and
environmental recovery of our coastal communities and the state of
Florida."
The agreement
lays the groundwork for the Gulf Consortium to work with Governor Scott to
ensure that funding sources related to the Resources and Ecosystems
Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast
States Act of 2012 (RESTORE Act) are maximized when developing a long term
restoration plan for Florida. Key provisions of the Agreement established
a streamlined process for review, certification by the Governor, and ultimate
submission of projects and programs included in the State Expenditure Plan to
the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council.
The RESTORE
Act, which was passed by Congress on June 29, 2012, creates the Gulf Coast
Ecosystem Restoration Council, and establishes various funding categories.
The RESTORE Act will be funded by Clean Water Act civil and administrative
penalties paid by responsible parties from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The
Council is comprised of the five Gulf State Governors and six federal
agencies. In Florida the 23 Gulf Coast Counties (Gulf Consortium) are
tasked with creating the State Expenditure Plan, which can include both
economic and environmental restoration projects
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