Gulf Consortium Approves $292 Million Expenditure Plan

At today's May 17 board meeting in Panama City Beach, the Gulf Consortium formally approved the Florida State Expenditure Plan which will direct $292 million in Component 3 RESTORE Act funds to 69 diverse environmental and economic projects and programs in 23 Florida Gulf of Mexico counties. The State Expenditure Plan will now be sent to governor's office for approval, with the final step being approval by the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council.  

Escambia County District 4 Commissioner Grover Robinson who serves as the Gulf Consortium's Chairman, remarked on the importance of today's events by saying, "This was an historic accomplishment. Never before have separate jurisdictions worked to summit a state plan in this manner. In Escambia County, we will be funding $12.6 million in remediation of sediment soils in Bayou Chico. This project will provide improvements in water quality and the environmental health of the greater Pensacola Bay system."

The Gulf Consortium is a public entity created in October 2012 by Inter-local Agreement among Florida's 23 Gulf Coast counties, from Escambia County to Monroe County. The counties formed the consortium to meet requirements of the RESTORE Act to develop a State Expenditure Plan for economic and environmental recovery following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The Consortium Board of Directors consists of one representative from each county government and six non-voting Governor appointees.