Gulf Ecosystem Restoration Task Force Creates Citizens Advisory Committee, Releases Restoration Priorities / EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson, joined by CEQ Chair Nancy Sutl...
WASHINGTON – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Administrator Lisa P. Jackson convened an official meeting of the
Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force today in Mobile,
Alabama. During the meeting, the task force created a
citizens’ advisory committee to help guide the group’s
efforts and released a strategy background document outlining the
priorities of the ongoing gulf restoration. The meeting in Alabama
furthered the task force’s ongoing commitment to supporting
the conservation and restoration of resilient and healthy
ecosystems in the Gulf of Mexico.
Jackson proposed to establish and support a 25-member Gulf of
Mexico Citizen Advisory Committee during the meeting, acknowledging
the need to ensure residents and local organizations have a formal
process to offer input and guidance on the work of the task force
and to voice environmental concerns. The newly formed committee
will hold its first official meeting later this summer.
“Since President Obama first formed this task force, our
focus has been on collecting the ideas and input of gulf
residents,” EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson said.
“We’ve made clear that restoration plans should come
from the gulf to Washington, and we’re counting on the people
who know these areas best to shape our work through public meetings
like this one, through the Citizens’ Advisory Committee and
other efforts.”
During the meeting, the task force also identified four key
priorities for the ongoing restoration of the gulf, including
enhancing community resilience, restoring and conserving habitat,
restoring water quality, and replenishing and protecting living
coastal and marine resources. The priorities were developed based
upon input from the general public and key stakeholder groups
throughout the region. The task force plans for the priorities to
serve as the main restorations goals and will identify specific
actions to help to achieve these goals.
The Mobile meeting was the latest in a series of meetings that the
task force is holding throughout the five gulf states. Previous
meetings were held in New Orleans and Pensacola. President Obama
issued an executive order in October to create the Gulf Coast
Ecosystem Restoration Task Force, continuing the
administration’s ongoing commitment to the gulf region. The
task force works to integrate federal restoration efforts with
those of local stakeholders and state and tribal governments, and
to facilitate accountability and support throughout the restoration
process.
More information on the task force: https://archive.epa.gov/gulfcoasttaskforce/web/html/