Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council Request for Public Comment on Proposed Funding Approval
The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (Council) is seeking public comment on a proposal to approve additional funding for the ongoing Pensacola Bay Living Shoreline Phase 1 implementation project in Escambia County, Florida. Specifically, the Council is proposing to approve $748,010 in additional funding to cover construction, engineering, and inspection costs associated with sand excavation and signage requirements for this living shoreline project. Background on this proposed approval is provided below.
Before voting on whether to approve the funding, the Council is requesting public comment over a 15-day period beginning on June 18, 2026 and concluding at 11:59 pm (CST) on July 3, 2026. You may submit 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: Pensacola Bay Living Shorelines Comments
500 Poydras Street, Suite 1117
New Orleans, LA 70130
Mail must be posted no later than July 3, 2026 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. Under this funding program, the Council votes to approve Gulf ecosystem restoration projects and programs proposed by the Council members. Council-Selected Restoration Component projects and programs approved for funding by the Council are included in what is referred to as a Funded Priorities List (FPL). Separate FPLs may be numbered, as in the FPL referred to here as FPL 3b.
FPLs include activities in two categories. Category 1 activities are approved for 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) or program(s).
Description of Proposed Funding Approval
To date, the Council has approved $1,795,950 in FPL funding for planning and implementation of the Pensacola Bay Living Shoreline Phase 1 project, a multi-phase living shoreline project that totals approximately 24,800 linear feet of rock and oyster reef breakwater and 205 acres of emergent marsh and submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) habitat. Construction of this project is nearing completion, but there are additional expenses not covered in the current budget. Florida, the sponsor of this project, is now requesting $748,010 to cover construction, engineering, and inspection costs associated with sand excavation and signage requirements at one of the project’s three sites (i.e., Site B- Naval Air Station Eastern Shore/Magazine Point).
To cover these additional costs, Florida is seeking to reallocate the above amount from FPL Category 2 funds currently budgeted for the FPL3b Florida Gulf Coast Resiliency Program, a program which is designed to fund projects such as this living shoreline. The Council has addressed environmental compliance requirements for the Pensacola Bay Living Shoreline Phase 1 project; thus no additional environmental compliance documentation is needed for this proposed funding reallocation.
Keala J. Hughes
Director of External Affairs
(504) 717-7235
keala.hughes@restorethegulf.gov
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