In a big win for Florida and the Gulf Coast region, Senator Bill Nelson's RESTORE Act amendment passed today in a 76 - 22 vote. The amendment was part of a larger Transportation bill that will go for a full vote next Tuesday. We are confident it will pass, but as you know, a lot can happen between now and then. Please share this message (see buttons below) with your personal network of friends and conservation allies so we can see the RESTORE Act through to final passage. Thank you for all that you do.

Here’s what the RESTORE the Gulf Act and the Land Conservation Act could do for conservation:

• Specifically direct 80 percent of Clean Water Act civil penalties resulting from the oil spill to restoration of the Gulf Coast environment and local economies.   This could mean as much as $10-20 billion.
• Distribute resources fairly and equitably to the  affected Gulf Coast states, allowing them to launch immediate  recovery efforts .
• Ensure that the funds are spent responsibly and for their intended purposes.
• Establish the Gulf Coast Ecosystem  Restoration Council which will develop and fund a comprehensive plan for the ecological recovery and resiliency of the Gulf Coast.
• Provide $1.4 billion over the next two years for the Land and Water Conservation Fund for buying precious lands across America.

Congratulations to all our Audubon Advocates who spoke up on this critical issue. Together, we made a difference for Florida and our Gulf Coast as a whole.