Landrieu Lauds Progress on RESTORE Implementation

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., lauded the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority's decision, made during today's board meeting, to submit five projects for the first round of RESTORE Act Funding through the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council. The RESTORE Act, which Senator Landrieu crafted with Sen. Richard Shelby, R-La., will direct billions back to Louisiana and the Gulf Coast for environmental and economic restoration from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill through three major funding allocations. These projects will compete for a portion of the $240 million that the RESTORE Act has already netted for this federal-state Council, which is tasked with large-scale, comprehensive Gulf Coast ecosystem restoration in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Because Louisiana suffered the brunt of the ecosystem damage from the spill, these projects should compete well.

The state of Louisiana has already committed $1 billion in future RESTORE Act funding from the other two allocations to build the Houma Navigation Canal Lock and implement salinity control measures along the Calcasieu Ship Channel. The RESTORE Act is ultimately projected to bring between $2 and $4 billion to Louisiana and its 20 coastal parishes.

"This is another positive step forward toward turning dirt with RESTORE Act funding," Senator Landrieu said. "These projects are cornerstones for the large-scale restoration intended in the Act, which is absolutely critical to protect our energy, maritime and seafood industries. I urge the Council to quickly select projects according to the criteria in the RESTORE Act. We will not stand for bureaucratic delay."

This progress follows the Department of Treasury's finalization of a rule last month that gives Louisiana access to $30 million and gives the coastal parishes access to $13 million through one of the RESTORE Act funding allocations that provides funding directly to the Gulf Coast States.

Congressional Quarterly wrote that the RESTORE Act would "rival stuff that Theodore Roosevelt did" for the long-term health of the nation's environment, The Times-Picayune said "the importance of this legislation cannot be overstated," and the Shreveport Times called the RESTORE Act "a big win for the Gulf Coast."

After the RESTORE Act became law, Sen. Landrieu visited coastal communities in Louisiana that will benefit from the law. Watch Sen. Landrieu as she shares what the RESTORE Act means for each community.

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