Agenda outlines blueprint for reversing decline of Gulf Coast ecosystem
WASHINGTON – The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force, which is led by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson, has taken a significant step forward by releasing its preliminary strategy today. This comprehensive strategy is focused on long-term ecosystem restoration, aimed at revitalizing and protecting the unique habitats and biodiversity found along the Gulf Coast. It now awaits public review and feedback. That’s allowing stakeholders, community members, and also environmental advocates. All have an opportunity to voice their opinions and suggestions. This crucial input will also certainly help shape and refine the strategy. That’s especially to ensure its effectiveness and also its sustainability. Following this review period, the Task Force will also present its findings and recommendations to President Obama, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts in restoring and preserving the Gulf Coast’s invaluable resources for future generations.
This document certainly represents a historic opportunity. In addition, it also addresses the long-standing issues that definitely harm the Gulf’s ecosystem. As well, the strategy is the first of its kind. It incorporates input from various parties in the region. These include states, Native Americans, federal agencies, local governments, and also thousands of citizens and organizations. Furthermore, the plan builds upon ongoing efforts in the Gulf Coast states. It outlines specific steps for real action. Ultimately, it demonstrates the Task Force’s commitment. It seeks to elevate Gulf coastal restoration to the level of other national priorities.
Gulf Coast Task Force
One year ago today, President Obama established the Task Force by executive order, a significant step aimed at addressing the urgent needs and challenges facing the Gulf region. This decision was a direct response to the thoughtful recommendations detailed in Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus’s extensive report, which highlighted the ongoing impacts of recent environmental and economic crises in the area. The Task Force not only signifies the Administration’s unwavering commitment to the Gulf region but also reinforces collaboration between local communities and federal resources.
Representatives on the Gulf Coast Task Force
Comprised of representatives from five Gulf States, the Task Force is designed to ensure that diverse perspectives. In addition, they must be considered in the decision-making process. Additionally, 11 federal agencies participate, bringing a wealth of expertise and resources to the table, thereby enhancing the initiative’s capacity to implement effective strategies for recovery and revitalization in the Gulf region. Their collective efforts aim to foster resilience and sustainable development, which are crucial for the long-term prosperity of the communities affected.
These agencies are:
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- the Environmental Protection Agency
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- Council on Environmental Quality
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- Department of the Interior
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- Department of Commerce
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- Department of Defense
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- Department of Agriculture
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- Department of Transportation
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- Office of Management and Budget
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- Office of Science and Technology Policy
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- and Domestic Policy Council.
“Even before last year’s oil spill, the Gulf of Mexico faced decades of decline. This decline certainly has threatened the region’s environmental and economic health. This strategy prepares the region. It also shifts from spill response to long-term recovery. The focus certainly supports the vital ecosystem and the people who depend on it,” said Administrator Jackson. “The health of the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem starts with its people and communities. Individuals and families visit the Gulf, work in the region, and moreover rely on its resources. Those who call it home understand its needs and challenges best. They will definitely play a key role in creating and executing this long-term strategy.”
Task Force’s Draft Strategy
The Task Force’s draft strategy highlights key obstacles. These obstacles have hindered restoration and protection efforts in Louisiana and other states for decades. Garret Graves, Task Force vice-chair and chair of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority of Louisiana, stated, “This report starts to reverse 80 years of mismanagement.” It outlines critical issues. These include changes in river management, the use of dredged sediment, and navigation channel bank stabilization. Additionally, it emphasizes the need to speed up the slow process of implementing water resources projects. History shows that reacting to disasters costs much more. Therefore, this report represents an important first step. It aims to shift toward a proactive strategy, as highlighted by the state’s coastal master plan.
There is much work still left to be done and we look forward to continuing to work with Task Force agencies and our fellow Gulf States to finally stabilize our coast and protect the Gulf communities.”
The natural resources of the Gulf’s ecosystem are vital to many of the region’s industries that directly support economic progress and job creation, including tourism and recreation, seafood production and sales, energy production and navigation and also commerce. Among the major initiatives with specific actions recommended by the preliminary strategy to protect and restore those natural resources are:
Stopping the Loss of Wetlands
Stopping the loss of critical wetlands, sand barriers, and also beaches remains a key recommendation of the preliminary strategy; moreover, numerous key habitats for a wide range of fish and other animals are, unfortunately, disappearing across the Gulf. In addition, dredging in the Lower Mississippi creates channels and levees, which often disconnect the vast wetland delta from its sediment source, developed over thousands of years. Consequently, the strategy aims to restore the sediment supply, as this supply will ultimately help build up eroding wetlands. In the end, we will effectively reconnect these valuable resources to their historic sediment source, particularly in the Lower Mississippi.
The strategy recommends equal treatment for ecosystem restoration and historic uses like navigation and flood damage reduction. It advocates for a comprehensive approach to water resource management. This approach protects wetlands, barrier islands, and beaches from harm. Additionally, the strategy calls for implementing several congressionally authorized projects in the Gulf. These projects aim to reverse the trend of wetlands loss.
The strategy places ecosystem restoration on equal footing with historic uses like navigation and flood damage reduction. It approaches water resource management decisions more comprehensively. This approach prevents harm to wetlands, barrier islands, and beaches. Additionally, the strategy implements several congressionally authorized projects in the Gulf. These projects aim to reverse the trend of wetland loss.
Reducing the Flow of Nutrients into the Gulf
The strategy calls for working in the Gulf and upstream in the Mississippi watershed to reduce the flow of nutrients into the Gulf by supporting state nutrient reduction frameworks, new nutrient reduction approaches, and targeted watershed work to reduce agricultural and urban sources of nutrients. The strategy recommends addressing the complex issues surrounding the transport of nutrients in excess to our Gulf coast by broadly supporting action-oriented innovations from all sectors that address both the environmental as well as the economics of effective nutrient management.
Enhancing Resiliency Among Coastal Communities
The strategy calls for enhancing the quality of life of Gulf residents by working in partnership with Gulf with coastal communities themselves — the living laboratories for facing the challenges posed. The strategy specifically recommends working with each of the States to build the integrated capacity needed through effective coastal improvement plans to better secure the future of their coastal communities and to implement existing efforts underway.
Additionally, the Task Force will begin immediately reviewing existing policies, programs and regulations that are slowing down restoration progress, particularly in the habitat restoration area. The Task Force will also explore innovative ways to implement restoration, measure success and support the restoration with science.
The following are statements on the release of the preliminary strategy from representatives of the member states on the task force:
N. Gunter Guy, Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources said, “The combined efforts of the federal and state members of the Task Force have resulted in the release of a preliminary strategy focused on restoring the Gulf Coast ecosystem. Alabama looks forward to receiving feedback from the public on the strategy and commits to continue working to improve Alabama’s Gulf Coast communities and protecting its natural resources.”
Mimi A. Drew, Florida’s representative on the task force and Special Advisor to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Herschel T. Vinyard, Jr. said, “Today’s release of this important report is the culmination of more than a year’s worth of collaboration and hard work to identify priorities and a strategy to improve, restore and protect the fragile and vital Gulf ecosystem. The Gulf of Mexico provides huge environmental and economic benefits to Florida and we look forward to input from the public to work refine this plan.”
Mississippi included in Gulf Coast Task Force
Trudy D. Fisher, Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality said, “The Task Force marked an unprecedented commitment at the federal and state levels to create a shared vision for a healthier Gulf Coast ecosystem. We are confident that the resulting strategy will set the stage for future cooperation and success. Mississippi will be a critical partner as the work continues.”
Helen S. Young serves as the Deputy Commissioner of Coastal Resources in the Texas General Land Office. The collaborative process involves federal, state, and local efforts. It includes visits to the five Gulf states. Listening sessions with locals highlight shared issues and unique needs. The emphasis is on Texas’s barrier islands. These islands protect against storm surges, such as those caused by Hurricane Ike in 2008. This storm was the second costliest hurricane, causing $127 billion in damages. The Strategy stresses the Gulf of Mexico’s significance to the national economy. It identifies regional issues of greatest concern. Restoration efforts will ensure these critical resources remain viable.
Gulf Coast Task Force’s Strategy
This preliminary strategy represents the Task Force’s strong commitment to the restoration of the Gulf Coast. The strategy was developed following more than 40 public meetings throughout the Gulf to listen to the concerns of the public.
Source: US Environmental Protection Agency
