Coastal Restoration
Earlier this month, the U.S. House of Representatives included a RESTORE Act amendment in their final version of the Surface Transportation Extension Act. The RESTORE Act is legislation that would dedicate 80 percent of Clean Water Act fines from the BP gulf oil spill towards Gulf Coast restoration. Both the U.S. House and Senate have passed different versions of the Act.
The House passed the transportation bill by a vote of 293-127, setting up a conference with the Senate. During conference, select members from each chamber will work together to reconcile differences in the Acts. Gulf Coast leaders have shown steadfast leadership in advancing the RESTORE Act to this point. Please continue to thank these members for their hard work and let your congressperson know that you want to see the RESTORE Act signed into law this summer.
Basically, the RESTORE Act is in a dual-chamber conference committee but it is unknown when the select committee members will reconcile their differences. Hopefully, the Act is addressed before the congressional August recess.
Stay tuned for updates on the most effective way you can utilize your network to contact Congress. Sign-up for our email alerts.
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The Mississippi River Delta is where America’s longest river spills into the Gulf of Mexico.
The Delta and Louisiana’s coast are vital:
☆ 1/3 of the largest shipping ports in the U.S.
☆ 30% of the nation’s oil supply
☆ 2nd in the primary production of petrochemicals
☆ Habitat for migratory waterfowl
☆ Largest producer of shrimp and oysters; home to 25% of all U.S. seafood caught
Barrier islands, estuaries, and wetlands help sustain cultures, produce economically important industry, fisheries and wildlife habitat. But coastal communities, especially throughout Southeast Louisiana, are extremely vulnerable due to historical neglect, recent oil spills, storm surge and sea level rise. Regrettably, the deltaic ecosystem is experiencing the highest rate of land loss in the United States. Louisiana looses an area of wetlands the size of a football field every hour.
As steadfast leaders in the movement to Prepare America, the Gulf Coast and New Orleans – THF recognizes that coastal restoration is vital to flood mitigation and hurricane protection. Scientific studies also indicate that vibrant wetlands can reduce storm surge up to three to nine inches.
Therefore, we work to accomplish 5 goals:
☆ Increase public awareness about the need for coastal restoration
☆ Empower, inspire and educate youth – creating Wetland Warriors
☆ Advocate for long-term governmental investment from local and federal officials
☆ Highlight green jobs and the emerging coastal restoration economy
☆ Promote energy-efficient lifestyles
Stronger hurricanes threaten jobs, cultural heritage and coastal ecosystems. In concert with organizations like the National Wildlife Federation, Gulf Restoration Network, Environmental Defense Fund, L9 CSED, LPBF, Sierra Club, CRCL, America’s Wetland Foundation and Zion Travelers Cooperative Center, we also understand the urgency to pursue the restoration of a healthy gulf.
The THF Coastal Restoration Campaign is led by Bike Katrina. Biennially, since 2007, we have organized a 250-mile bike ride from Pensacola, Florida to New Orleans. This journey takes place during the last five days of August and affords us an opportunity, through regional partnerships, to galvanize Gulf-wide support for coastal restoration from schools, churches, business and civic associations.