Overview

On July 6, 2012, President Obama signed into law the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act of 2012 (RESTORE Act).  This groundbreaking legislation did not come about easily.  We are proud to report that Audubon played a significant role in the creation and passage of this legislation.  Indeed, Audubon activated its vast network of chapters, centers, state and national offices, and numerous partners to successfully persuade our government to pass this Act. In fact, 114,000 of our Audubon family members reached out to Congress leading up to the Act’s passage.  Audubon President, David Yarnold, along with the CEOs of other major environmental NGOs, including The Environmental Defense Fund and The National Wildlife Federation, led the chorus of voices beseeching U.S. Senate leaders to pass this critical law.  And it worked. 

 The RESTORE Act requires 80% of the fines that BP will ultimately have to pay to be used to restore the ecological and economic damage done to the five Gulf Coast states – Mississippi , Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, and Texas.  While the total amount of those fines has yet to be determined many have estimated that the total will be at least $15 billion.  To be sure, that is a lot of money; however, it will only serve its purpose if spent thoughtfully and efficiently.  In other words, our work has only begun.

 Over the next 12 months Audubon Mississippi staff and its partners will engage in a grassroots campaign to educate you, our supporters, on the details of the RESTORE Act.  The goal will be to outfit you with the information you need to ensure that the RESTORE Act funds are used for the ecological restoration of our Mississippi Gulf Coast.  Governor Phil Bryant has already demonstrated a sincere commitment to replenishing the coast with his initiative, GoCoast 2020, of which we are a part.  Other state leaders are also very supportive of RESTORE.  We have momentum.  Let’s keep moving, stay focused, and do our part to help restore our environment for the betterment of birds and people alike.

Public Meetings

Tuesday, February 19

Louisiana – 5:00 PM CST*

Terrebonne Civic Center, 346 Civic Center Blvd., Room 3, Houma, LA

Mississippi – 5:00 PM CST

Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center, 2350 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, MS

Wednesday, February 20

Louisiana – 5:00 PM CST*

University of New Orleans, Homer Hitt Alumni Center Ballroom, 2000 Lakeshore Drive, New Orleans, LA

Thursday, February 21

Louisiana – 5:00 PM CST*

Lack Charles Civic Center, Jean Lafitte Room, 900 Lakeshore Drive, Lake Charles, LA

Thursday, February 28

Florida – 6:00 PM CST

Student Union East Conference Center, Gulf Coast State College, 5230 W. U.S. 98, Panama City Beach, FL

Downloadable Resources

restore_act_letter_to_state_rep.pdf restore_act_letter_to_editor.pdf