MDEQ to Host Webinars Thursday on RESTORE Project Submissions
(Jackson, Miss.) – The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) will host two webinars Thursday, October 16, to discuss Mississippi’s strategy for RESTORE Bucket 2 proposal submissions. The English webinar begins at 1:00 p.m., and one in Vietnamese begins at 3:00 p.m. The webinars are available to the public, there is no cost to participate, and early registration is available at www.restore.ms.
“This is a great opportunity for the public to see how their input has helped craft the Mississippi proposals and to also learn how the Bucket 2 process works,” said Gary Rikard, MDEQ Executive Director.
As a trustee on the RESTORE Council, Mississippi has the opportunity to submit five project proposals for the first round of funding within Bucket 2. More information about the fund buckets is available at: http://www.restore.ms/read-the-restore-act.
The registration information and links can be found here: http://www.restore.ms/restore-webinar-registration. A confirmation email will be sent with important information about connecting to the webinar on October 16 to those that register. On Thursday, October 16, please join the webinar 15 to 30 minutes prior to the start time to ensure a proper connection.
The Bucket 2 project submission window for RESTORE Council members opened in August and will close no earlier than November 17, 2014. The projects and programs selected by the Council will be included in a draft Funded Priorities List and published for public comment. Approximately $150 to $180 million from the settlement with Transocean Deepwater, Inc., and related entities, will be available to fund projects and programs under the Council-selected Restoration Component. The Council will select and fund projects and programs that restore and protect the natural resources, ecosystems, water quality, fisheries, marine and wildlife habitats, beaches, and coastal wetlands of the Gulf Coast region.
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