The deadline for sending in your comments and suggestions on the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council’s draft Comprehensive Plan is fast approaching. This Plan will play a key role in determining how billions of dollars in BP fines will be spent. Although the Plan is on the right track, there is still a lot of work to do and this is a critical moment to make your voice heard. Can you send in your comments right now?http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/50843/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=11299The Council’s efforts represent our best chance to jump-start coastal restoration and make the Gulf, our communities and our coastal-dependent economies more resilient in the face of rising seas and stronger storms. Unfortunately, some leaders seem more interested in squandering BP dollars on environmentally harmful economic development schemes, such as proposing BP restoration dollars build a conference center and hotel on important wildlife habitat in Alabama’s Gulf State Park. Tell the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council that every dollar it approves must fund improving the health of the Gulf.For coastal communities that depend on the natural resources of the Gulf for their livelihoods and storm protection, environmental restoration is essential to economic recovery. The Gulf has been dying the death of a thousand cuts for decades and this is our best chance to stop the bleeding. The billions of dollars that will soon be flowing to the Gulf are a once in a lifetime opportunity to build a healthier and more resilient Gulf for future generations. Click here to tell the Council to make the most of this opportunity.Aaron Viles is GRN’s Deputy Director. Follow him on twitter here.
