In an important moment for future Gulf Region restoration in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the United States Senate passed their Transportation bill including the RESTORE Act amendment in a 74-22 vote. Special thanks to Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) for successfully sponsoring and passing this important amendment. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) voted against the RESTORE Act amendment and the final, amended Transportation bill.

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.

The bill now heads to the U.S. House of Representatives for passage before President Obama can sign it into law.

Congratulations to all our Audubon Advocates who spoke up on this critical issue. Together, we made a difference for Florida and the one-of-a-kind Gulf Coast region.

Please read National Audubon Society's joint-press release on this momentous occasion.