 Gulf Coast Marsh- RESTORE Council Staff
This Earth Day, RESTORE Council Approves 2025 Annual Report to Congress, Surpassing $1.3 Billion in Total Restoration Investments
New Orleans, LA — On Earth Day 2026, the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (RESTORE Council) approved its Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Report to Congress, documenting a year of funding expansion and the release of a 15-year commemorative report. The annual report also highlights a major milestone: the Council has now awarded more than $1.32 billion in total restoration funding across the Gulf Coast.
2025 Accomplishments & Funding Highlights:
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Total Investment Milestone: To date, $494 million has been awarded under the Council-Selected Restoration Component and $831 million under the Spill Impact Component.
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15-Year Commemorative Report: In April 2025, the Council released Reflections on Restoration and Partnerships, a 15-year status report detailing the major achievements and collaborative progress made since the Deepwater Horizon disaster.
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Future Planning: Through effective collaboration in 2025, the Council developed the Draft 2026 Funded Priorities List, which proposes over $403 million in new investments to restore and protect vital Gulf habitats, enhance water quality and improve coastal resilience. This proposal, released for public comment in November 2025, is anticipated to be voted on this summer.
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Fiscal Excellence: For the eleventh consecutive year, the Council received an unqualified opinion on its financial statements, with zero findings or material weaknesses.
"Fiscal Year 2025 brought both reflection on our accomplishments and accelerated action," said David Fotouhi, RESTORE Council Chair and Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. "With over $1.32 billion from penalties paid by those responsible for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill now invested across the Gulf Coast, we are seeing the tangible results of our commitment to habitat conservation, water quality improvement, and strengthened coastal economies. The Council’s 15-year commemorative report demonstrates that through partnership and collaboration, we are successfully building a stronger and healthier Gulf of America for future generations."
The full FY 2025 Annual Report and the Reflections on Restoration and Partnerships report are available at www.restorethegulf.gov.
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