Billions Available for FL Gulf Restoration: National Wildlife Federation Has a Plan
Posted December 10, 2014 08:20 am
TAMPA,
FL– How should the windfall of billions be spent that
will be available to Gulf states such as Florida as a
result of the Deepwater Horizon spill? According to a
report released today by the
National
Wildlife Federation, the answer is to get to the
heart of the water source.
The exact amount BP will be ordered to pay is still in question, but Ryan Fikes, a staff scientist for the federation's Gulf Coast Restoration Project, said restoring wetlands, sediment and the balance between fresh and saltwater is key.
"These
waters are among the most important natural habitats,"
he said, "and serve as spawning grounds and feeding
grounds for nearly all the species of fish and seafood
that we like to catch and eat."
In Florida, restoring the estuaries in Tampa and
Sarasota bays, Charlotte Harbor and the Everglades are
seen as priorities for improving the health of Gulf
water and wildlife. Specifically in Florida, Fikes said,
the construction of the C-43 Reservoir next to the
Caloosahatchee River is critical to sustaining the
fisheries in the region.
Some cities and elected representatives have proposed
allocating the funds for unrelated infrastructure
projects on the Gulf Coast, but Fikes said that wouldn't
help the Gulf and could even damage the coastline. He
said funds are best spent on the actual health of the
Gulf.
"One concern that the National Wildlife Federation has
is that there's an opportunity for the misuse of funds
being spent on things such as coastal infrastructure,"
he said. "Restoring our environment results in a
restored coastal economy."
The NWF report also recommended restoring oyster reefs,
which will in turn protect economically important
species such as redfish, shrimp and blue crabs.
Photos/graphics, links added by the Observer
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