[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 240 (Tuesday, December 15, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 77585-77586]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-31463]


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GULF COAST ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION COUNCIL

40 CFR Part 1800

[Docket Number: 112152015-1111-11]
RIN 3600-AA00


RESTORE Act--Initial Funded Priorities List

AGENCY: Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Resources and Ecosystems 
Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the 
Gulf States Act (RESTORE Act or Act), the Gulf Coast Ecosystem 
Restoration Council (Council) announces the availability of the Initial 
Funded Priorities List (FPL). The FPL sets forth the initial activities 
that the Council will fund and prioritize for further consideration.

DATES: December 15, 2015.

ADDRESSES: The Council posted all comments on the draft version of the 
FPL on its Web site, http://www.restorethegulf.gov/. All comments 
received are part of the public record and subject to public 
disclosure.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Will Spoon at 504-239-9814.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    In 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill caused extensive damage to 
the Gulf Coast's natural resources, devastating the economies and 
communities that rely on it. In an effort to help the region rebuild in 
the wake of the spill, Congress passed and the President signed the 
RESTORE Act, Public Law 112-141, sections 1601-1608, 126 Stat. 588 
(Jul. 6, 2012). The Act created the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration 
Trust Fund (Trust Fund) and dedicates eighty percent (80%) of any civil 
and administrative penalties paid by parties responsible for the 
Deepwater Horizon oil spill under the Clean Water Act, after the date 
of enactment, to the Trust Fund. On January 3, 2013, the United States 
announced that Transocean Deepwater Inc. and related entities agreed to 
pay $1 billion in civil penalties for violating the Clean Water Act in 
relation to their conduct in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The 
settlement was approved by the court in February 2013, and pursuant to 
the Act approximately $816 million (including interest) has been paid 
into the Trust Fund.
    In addition to creating the Trust Fund, the Act established the 
Council, which is chaired by the Secretary of Commerce and includes the 
Governors of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, and 
the Secretaries of the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, the Army, 
Homeland Security, and the Interior, and the Administrator of the U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency.
    Under the Act, the Council will administer a portion of the Trust 
Fund known as the Council-Selected Restoration Component in order to 
``undertake projects and programs, using the best available science, 
that would restore and protect the natural resources, ecosystems, 
fisheries, marine and wildlife habitats, beaches, coastal wetlands, and 
economy of the Gulf

[[Page 77586]]

Coast.'' In August 2013 the Council approved an Initial Comprehensive 
Plan (Initial Plan) (please see http://www.restorethegulf.gov/sites/default/files/GCERCCompPlanFactSheet_0.pdf and http://www.restorethegulf.gov/sites/default/files/FinalInitialComprehensivePlan.pdf) that outlines an overarching vision 
for Gulf restoration and includes the following five goals: (1) Restore 
and conserve habitat; (2) restore water quality; (3) replenish and 
protect living coastal and marine resources; (4) enhance community 
resilience; and (5) restore and revitalize the gulf economy.
    As a supplement to the Initial Plan and pursuant to the requirement 
in the Restore Act to draft a ``prioritized list of specific projects 
and programs to be funded,'' the Council is now publishing the initial 
FPL that lists the activities which the Council will fund and 
prioritize for further consideration.
    Summary: On August 13, 2015 the Council published the draft version 
of the FPL for a 45-day public notice and comment period, The comment 
period closed on September 28, 2015.
    After reviewing and considering all of the public comments, on 
December 9, 2015 the Council approved the FPL.
    The members of the Council collaborated in creating the FPL that 
responds to ecological needs regardless of jurisdictional boundaries. 
The FPL will provide near-term ``on-the-ground'' ecosystem benefits, 
while also building a planning and science foundation for future 
success. The FPL focuses on ten key watersheds across the Gulf in order 
to concentrate and leverage available funds in addressing critical 
ecological needs in high-priority locations. It focuses on habitat and 
water quality, and includes restoration and conservation activities 
that can be implemented in the near term. It also supports project-
specific planning efforts necessary to advance large-scale restoration. 
The comprehensive planning and monitoring efforts included in the FPL 
will provide Gulf-wide benefits into the future.
    The Council intends to play a key role in helping to ensure that 
the Gulf's natural resources are sustainable and available for future 
generations. Currently available Gulf restoration funds and those that 
may become available in the future represent a great responsibility. 
The ongoing involvement of the people who live, work and play in the 
Gulf region is critical to ensuring that these monies are used wisely 
and effectively. The Council thanks all those who have participated in 
the process thus far, and offers thanks in advance to those who will 
take the time to again offer thoughts on how we can collectively help 
restore the Gulf.
    Document Availability: Copies of the FPL are available at the 
following office during regular business hours: Gulf Coast Ecosystem 
Restoration Council, Hale Boggs Federal Building, 500 Poydras Street, 
Suite 1117, New Orleans, LA 70130.
    Electronic versions of the FPL can be viewed and downloaded at 
www.restorethegulf.gov.
    Legal Authority: The statutory program authority for the FPL is 
found at 33 U.S.C. 1321(t)(2).

    Dated: December 9, 2015.
Justin R. Ehrenwerth,
Executive Director, Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council.
[FR Doc. 2015-31463 Filed 12-14-15; 8:45 am]
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