The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (RESTORE Council or Council) is inviting public comments about its proposed plan to commit $403,654,000 for water quality improvement, habitat conservation, and other ecosystem projects across the Gulf Coast.
The funds are from the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies Act of the Gulf Coast States of 2012 (33 U.S.C. § 1321(t) and note RESTORE Act.
This 2026 Funded Priorities List (FPL) proposal includes 19 ecosystem restoration projects and programs which build upon over $685 million in restoration activities previously identified by the Council. With these additional funds, the RESTORE Council will have committed over $1 billion for restoration activities across the Gulf Coast under the Council-Selected Restoration Component of the RESTORE Act.
More detail on the proposed 2026 FPL activities is provided via this digital link Draft 2026 Funded Priorities List. The Council’s website is www.restorethegulf.gov.
The public will be able to comment in writing via the Council’s digital link our online public comment system (see Open for Comment once you reach the National Park
Service web page), or directly by email to the Council at restorecouncil@restorethegulf.gov.
Future council vote
The council will review all comments received before the deadline, develop a written response to comments, and consider those comments as it proceeds to finalize the 2026 FPL. The council will then vote on whether to approve the draft 2026 FPL. It is anticipated that this vote will occur in the Spring of 2026.
Jefferson County Commissioners Court encourages all those interested in Gulf restoration to participate by offering comments during the public comment period that ends Jan. 2, 2026.
Jefferson County recommends public comment support for Texas Point National Wildlife Refuge’s shoreline conservation under Texas’ proposed Managing Wetlands Migration Corridors and Natural Floodways Program and Oyster Reef Restoration Program within the council’s list of 19 approved programs.
For information or assistance in submitting a public comment, contact Tim Richardson trpr51@gmail.com or by phone at (202) 352-1269.
