Florida Gov. Rick Scott announced funding for the third and largest phase of early restoration projects to combat the Deepwater Horizon (BP) Oil Spill of 2010 on Oct. 7.
Although $100 million was allocated to Florida by the Deepwater Horizon Natural Damage Assessment Trustees for early restoration projects -- about $88 million of that total will go to the third and final phase. Twenty-eight projects are set to be accomplished during the third phase, according to a news release from Scott’s press office.
The U.S. Department of the Interior also apportioned about $15 million to clean-up efforts. This will allow for two additional projects at the Gulf Islands National Seashore.
Restoration of oysters, scallops, seagrass, artificial reefs, living shorelines and recreational beaches as well as state park improvements are all expected to be completed by the end of phase three, according to a statement by Deepwater Horizon .
The available funding for the projects is great news for Florida families, Scott said in a news release.
“We must protect our state’s natural treasures, so future generations of Floridians will be able to enjoy our state’s great natural treasures,” Scott said.
Scott isn’t the only one who is concerned about securing the future of Florida’s natural beauty. Residents all over Florida are thankful for the restoration projects.
Gainesville resident Kristen Ratliff grew up in Florida’s panhandle.
Even though the oil spill and recovery acts affected the 20-year-old's life in the panhandle, she said they also affect life for her now that she lives in North Central Florida. Like many college students , Ratliff said she appreciates weekend getaways to the beach and wants to preserve the ability to have those experiences.
“I love taking a day to enjoy the beach,” Ratliff said. “I don’t want to lose that.”
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) has been working toward a cleaner environment for Florida since the oil spill, said Ashley Williams, FDEP’s gulf coast public affairs spokesperson.
The FDEP has been a part of the resource damage assessment process as a trustee. It has represented Florida’s interests in every phase of restoration, including the current phase, while working closely with other trustees, Williams said.
“Everybody in Florida was affected by the oil spill, whether it was actual oil on their beaches or due to tourism going down,” he said. “That’s why there are so many different funding streams that are addressing those.”
In addition to the environment, Florida’s tourist economy and the businesses that rely on tourism have been a major concern since the oil spill.
For many fishermen, the lack of tourism has been hard on the tainted fishing industry.
Rick Freeland, owner of Redtide Fishing Club in Hernando Beach, said his business has yet to recover from the oil spill. Freeland holds Deepwater Horizon responsible for fixing the problems the spill has caused.
“BP knew exactly what they were doing [when they polluted the oceans],” Freeland said.
Although Freeland’s business still suffers because of the 2010 incident, he said he is hopeful the coming years will show improvement in Florida’s economy.
He said the early restoration projects are a sign of hope, but it’s still going to take time.