Task Force Established by President Obama Releases Final Strategy for Reversing Deterioration of Gulf Ecosystem
USDA $50 million financial assistance for restoration projects announced as Task Force efforts shift from planning to action
WASHINGTON – The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force today released its final strategy for long term ecosystem restoration for the Gulf Coast, following extensive feedback from citizens throughout the region. EPA Administrator and Task Force Chair Lisa P. Jackson, partnering with Task Force Co-Chair Garret Graves, made the announcement today during keynote remarks at the 2011 State of the Gulf of Mexico Summit in Houston. Administrator Jackson was joined by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Administrator Jane Lubchenco, Council on Environmental Quality Chair Nancy Sutley, USDA Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Harris Sherman and several other Task Force members.
The Task Force delivered the final strategy on Friday, Dec. 2, to President Barack Obama. He established the Task Force by executive order. The goal is to uphold the Administration’s commitment to the Gulf region. The group includes representatives from five Gulf States and 11 federal agencies. These are the Environmental Protection Agency, White House Council on Environmental Quality, Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce, Department of Defense, Department of the Interior, Department of Justice, Department of Transportation, Office of Management and Budget, Office of Science and Technology Policy, and White House Domestic Policy Council.
First Restoration Blueprint
The strategy serves as the first restoration blueprint for the Gulf. It includes input from states, Native Americans, federal agencies, local governments, and thousands of citizens and organizations. This plan shows the commitment of all parties. They will work together in unprecedented collaboration. Their goal is to help the Gulf transition from response to recovery. They will also address the ecosystem’s decades-long decline.
After the Deepwater Horizon disaster, this Task Force brought together people from across the Gulf Coast in unparalleled ways. Especially to talk about how we tackle both the immediate environmental devastation and the long-term deterioration. That’s because it for decades has threatened the health. Moreover the environment and the economy of the people who especially call this place home. It has all come to this moment. Especially when we move from planning and researching to supporting real, homegrown actions aimed at restoring this vital ecosystem. This was said by Administrator Jackson.
With the release of the final strategy today, the Task Force marks the beginning of the implementation phase of the strategy by announcing new initiatives, including $50 million in assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service to help agricultural producers in seven Gulf Coast river basins improve water quality, increase water conservation and enhance wildlife habitat.
USDA Gulf of Mexico Initiative
USDA’s multi-year environmental restoration effort, known as the Gulf of Mexico Initiative. It’s also called the GoMI, which represents a 1,100% increase in financial assistance for Gulf priority watersheds.
“Restoring the Gulf Coast ecosystem needs to begin immediately; therefore, USDA’s assistance is an important first step in placing the Task Force strategy into action,” said USDA Under Secretary Harris Sherman. “Moreover, this collaborative voluntary effort will leverage contributions and commitments from farmers, communities, and all levels of government to improve water quality. Indeed, a healthy water supply is not only vital for the people of the Gulf, but also for the estuaries, fisheries, and wildlife that are, after all, the foundation of the local economy.”
The Task Force has also begun reviewing existing policy, program and regulatory issues that are slowing down restoration progress, particularly in the habitat restoration area. The Task Force will continue to explore innovative ways to implement restoration, measure success and support the restoration with science.
Additionally, the Task Force will also open a local office, headed by Task Force Executive Director John Hankinson, in the Gulf Coast in mid-December.
Representatives from across the Gulf voiced their support for the work of the Task Force.
“To ensure the future health of the Gulf, its economy, and its residents, the nation must not only create a sustainable and productive landscape and seascape, but it must also stop ongoing degradation. Furthermore, it needs to reverse the damage that has already been done,” said Senator Bob Graham and William K. Reilly, Co-Chairs of the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling. “The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force collaborates closely with the people of the Gulf. Consequently, they must develop a comprehensive ecosystem restoration strategy. This strategy will not only guide long-term collaboration, but such efforts are also essential to reverse environmental degradation in the Gulf. Therefore, the country must commit to these actions. Moreover, it must act now.”
The Task Force involved local leaders in the fact-finding process before releasing the report, said Mayor Randy Roach of Lake Charles, Louisiana. “The report shows they listened and addressed our concerns directly. This document outlines the challenges of recovery. It also highlights opportunities to develop a true intergovernmental approach. We aim to meet the needs and interests of the Gulf Coast region.”
Task Force Strategy
It seems that the Task Force’s Strategy clearly recognizes the critical importance of the Gulf natural resources. Especially to our regional economy and workforce, That was said by Michael Hecht, President and CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc.
They added this is in partnership with all Gulf Coast states and also several federal agencies and with full input from key parties throughout the region the Task Force has detailed a specific list of coastal restoration priorities. Those that protects the businesses and also individual livelihoods along the coast and across the country. Especially in the fishing, shipping, energy production and tourism industries, that are reliant upon a vital Gulf coast.
“For the first time in man’s history on earth, what we do, can and will determine the fate of one of the world’s great treasures. The choice is ours”, said Dr. Larry McKinney, Executive Director of the Harte Research Institute in Corpus Christi, Texas.
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. That’s including tourism and recreation, seafood production and sales. In addition, energy production and navigation and commerce. Among the key priorities of the strategy are:
1) Stopping the Loss of Critical Wetlands, Sand Barriers and Beaches
The strategy recommends placing ecosystem restoration on an equal footing with historic uses. For example, navigation and flood damage reduction. Essentially by approaching water resource management decisions in a far more comprehensive manner. All so it will bypass harm to wetlands, barrier islands and beaches. The strategy also recommends implementation of several congressionally authorized projects in the Gulf. Those that are especially intended to reverse the trend of wetlands loss.
2) Reducing the Flow of Excess Nutrients into the Gulf
The strategy calls for working in the Gulf and upstream in the Mississippi watershed to reduce the flow of excess 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 excess nutrients.
3) Enhancing Resiliency among Coastal Communities
The strategy enhances the quality of life for Gulf residents. It partners with coastal communities. This approach emphasizes collaboration. Government entities, local organizations, and stakeholders must work together. They understand the unique needs and challenges of coastal areas. The strategy recommends engaging with each State. This engagement builds integrated capacity through effective coastal improvement plans. These plans consider environmental sustainability, economic resilience, and social equity. They aim to secure the future of coastal communities. Innovative practices, technology, and public engagement play key roles. The goal is to create robust infrastructure. This infrastructure will withstand climate change and natural disasters. Existing efforts will continue to ensure sustained progress over the long term.
Source: R355 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW · Washington DC 20460 · 202-564-4355
The final strategy was developed following more than 40 public meetings throughout the Gulf to listen to the concerns of the public. To review the final strategy, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/gulfcoasttaskforce
USDA Gulf of Mexico Initiative
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 5, 2011
