$53M in support of 15 MS projects

Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant announced Nov. 11 that more than $53M from the BP oil disaster relief fund will be going toward 15 projects designed to improve the ecosystem, boost tourism, improve the economy, and enhance natural resources on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Some of the 15 projects funded are new, while money is being added for ongoing projects. The state has already received $511M bringing the total received to $564M. The projects are funded through the RESTORE Act and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's (NF&WF) Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund. A list of some RESTORE fund projects: $7M, Marsh Creation and Restoration: Dredged material in three coast counties used for marsh restoration and creation; $5M, Beach Resilience: Native plants, sea oats and sand fencing to create dunes, slow erosion; concrete boardwalk extension to keep sand on the beach and off U.S. 90; $4M, Oyster Hatchery and Research Center: Production of oyster larvae and further development of aquaculture at the University of Southern Mississippi’s Cedar Point center in Ocean Springs. Total funding now $11.7M; $3M, Gulf Aquatic Food Research Center: Supports construction of a Mississippi State University laboratory for seafood safety testing and quality assurance; $1M, Supports development of USM’s combined degree program in ocean engineering and business, part of state’s Blue Economy initiative. NF&WF funding: $5.96M, Reef Fish Assessment: Data collected to assess red snapper and other reef fish in Mississippi and nearshore Gulf waters. Total funding now $12.9M; $3.39M, Oyster Restoration: Pilot program in the Mississippi Sound deploys cultch materials to test oyster survival for future restoration; $2.8M, St. Louis Bay Oyster Reef: Funds The Nature Conservancy’s efforts to restore and enhance the St. Louis Bay TNC oyster reef. (Source: Sun Herald 11/12/19) https://www.sunherald.com/news/local/article237275774.html?#storylink=cpy