Florida State Expenditure Plan Approved
It allocates $291 million in project funding to address environmental restoration and enhancement, as well as economic revitalization, along Florida's Gulf Coast in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill of 2010.
Florida's State Expenditure Plan has been approved, marking the culmination of four years of work and cooperation among federal, state, and local governments and project consultants. It outlines 69 projects and programs, allocating $291 million in project funding to address environmental restoration and enhancement, as well as economic revitalization, along Florida's Gulf Coast in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill of 2010.
Environmental Science Associates, an environmental science and planning firm, was the prime consultant to the Gulf Consortium in preparation of the State Expenditure Plan for the state of Florida. Formally approved on Oct. 1, 2018, by the chair of the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council, EPA Secretary Andrew Wheeler, the plan identifies projects and budget allocations from a portion of Florida's RESTORE Act funding resulting from the spill.
"It has been an honor to work with the Gulf Consortium and staff from its member counties to bring to fruition this critically important plan that will assist the state of Florida in restoring and protecting its environment and economy," said ESA Vice President and Principal Associate Doug Robison. "We are confident that the projects described in the SEP will substantially improve the quality of life along the Florida Gulf Coast for generations to come."
The plan was approved by Florida Gov. Rick Scott and transmitted to the council for formal approval in July 2018.
The Gulf Consortium is a public entity created in 2012 that consists of one representative from each of Florida's 23 Gulf Coast counties and six non-voting governor appointees. The RESTORE Act, which was passed by Congress on June 29, 2012, created the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council and established a trust fund to be funded by Clean Water Act civil and administrative penalties paid by responsible parties from the oil spill.