The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (Council) will host a series of webinars to review the process used to develop its Initial Funded Priorities List (FPL) as part of the Council-Selected Restoration Component. During the webinars, we will consider the process from many angles and look forward to learning your views. The goal of the webinars is to identify what worked and what could be improved to further the cause of comprehensive Gulf restoration. The same issues will be addressed during each webinar, so you can select the date and time that works best for your schedule.
Webinar dates and registration links are listed below:
Tuesday, April 12, 2016, beginning at 2 p.m. CT
Please click here to register for this webinar.
Webinar ID: 133-326-795
Thursday, April 14, 2016, beginning at 5:30 p.m. CT
Please click here to register for this webinar.
Webinar ID: 139-956-867
Thursday, April 28, 2016, beginning at Noon CT
Please click here to register for this webinar.
Webinar ID: 141-260-243
Click here to download the PowerPoint slides that will be used during the webinars. Note that technical instructions will be provided in advance of the webinars.
After registering, you will receive the webinar log-in information via email. Both the audio and video for all webinars can be accessed from your computer. If you would like to request a toll-free number to call into the webinar, or for any additional questions regarding the webinar, please email RestoreCouncil@RestoreTheGulf.gov.
Background:
The Initial FPL was approved in December of 2015 and is the first set of projects and programs the Council intends to fund under this component of the RESTORE Act. By looking closely at the process used for the first FPL, the Council hopes to identify key lessons that can enhance future project lists and further advance comprehensive Gulf restoration. A series of links to background webpages and documents are listed below.
About the Council:
Information about the Council can be found here: https://www.restorethegulf.gov/about-us. A fact sheet on the Council is the first fact sheet listed on the bottom of the page.
About the Initial Comprehensive Plan:
In August, 2013, the Council approved the Initial Comprehensive Plan which provides a framework to implement a coordinated, region-wide restoration effort in a way that restores, protects and revitalizes the Gulf Coast. This is the first version of a plan that will change over time. A link to the Initial Comprehensive Plan can be found on this webpage: https://restorethegulf.gov/comprehensive-plan.
About the Council-Selected Restoration Component and the Development of the Initial Funding Priorities List (FPL):
Information about the Council-Selected Restoration Component and the Proposal Submission Process and Review for the Initial FPL is available here, https://restorethegulf.gov/council-selected-restoration-component.
External Science Review Process:
A diverse group of expert volunteer reviewers was solicited from within the five Gulf States and from across the country to review Initial FPL proposals. Each proposal was reviewed by three reviewers: one from the Gulf State most directly linked to the proposal; one from the Gulf of Mexico region, and one from outside of the Gulf of Mexico. All reviewers signed a Conflict of Interest form. Reviewers were assigned 1-4 proposals each, with assignment based on their areas of expertise. Reviews were anonymous, however the overall qualifications of the reviewer pool are available on this webpage: https://www.restorethegulf.gov/release/2015/03/12/council-selected-restoration-component-proposals-and-context-reports. You can find the graphic of the pool of reviewers in the section on “External Science Review”. The science reviews were provided to the Council to inform FPL development. All reviews for each proposal are also provided verbatim on the Council’s website (minus the reviewer’s name).
The original 50 proposals and "context reports" (including science reviews on every proposal) are all located on this webpage:
https://www.restorethegulf.gov/release/2015/03/12/council-selected-restoration-component-proposals-and-context-reports.
The proposals and reviews are organized by Council Member and are located after the section “Next Steps”.
Public Input on Developing the Draft FPL:
On August 13, 2015, the Council released the Draft Initial FPL for a 45-day public comment period. During the comment period, the Council held 7 public meetings in the 5 Gulf Coast States, hosted a Tribal Engagement meeting in which 7 Federally-Recognized Tribes participated and engaged with stakeholders across the region. The Council accepted written comments provided via mail, email and through our website.
Links to Public Input on the Draft FPL and the Council’s Response to Public Input on the Draft FPL documents are available on the bottom of this this webpage: https://restorethegulf.gov/council-selected-restoration-component.
The approved Initial Funded Priorities List:
Informed by public input and technical reviews pertaining to science, environmental compliance and more, the Initial FPL was approved in December of 2015. The complete Initial FPL and Fact Sheets are available on this webpage:
https://www.restorethegulf.gov/council-selected-restoration-component/funded-priorities-list.