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Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force

About the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force

The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force was created by President Obama through an Executive Order (PDF) (5pp, 69K, About PDF) on October 5, 2010, and is the result of a recommendation made in Secretary Mabus' report (PDF) (122pp, 9MB, About PDF) on long term recovery following the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. By October 5, 2011, the Task Force is charged with development of a restoration strategy that proposes a Gulf Coast ecosystem restoration agenda. The task force is directed to:

  • Define ecosystem restoration goals and describe milestones towards reaching those goals;
  • Consider existing research and ecosystem restoration planning efforts;
  • Identify major policy areas where coordinated actions between government agencies is needed; and
  • Evaluate existing research and monitoring programs and gaps in data collection

The Task Force is an advisory body comprised of lead officials from the five Gulf states appointed by the President upon recommendation of each Governor, and 11 Federal agencies and White House offices.

State of Alabama Department of Defense
State of Florida Department of the Interior
State of Louisiana Department of Justice
State of Mississippi Department of Transportation
State of Texas Domestic Policy Council
Council on Environmental Quality Environmental Protection Agency
Department of Agriculture Office of Management and Budget
Department of Commerce Office of Science and Technology Policy

The Environmental Protection Agency's former Administrator, Lisa P. Jackson, served as Chair of the Task Force and the Chair of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority of Louisiana, Garret Graves, serves as Vice-chair. John Hankinson serves as Executive Director.

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