CONSERVATION CORNER
Barbour Launches Coast Restoration Initiative
by James L. Cummins

On Monday, December 5, Governor Haley Barbour announced his Mississippi Gulf Coast Environmental Restoration Initiative, the largest coastal natural resource and habitat restoration effort in the history of Mississippi. It is a 10 year plan to restore, enhance and create coastal habitat including marshes, coastal forests, beaches, barrier islands and oyster reefs. The Department of Marine Resources will implement the plan with assistance from conservation groups such as Wildlife Mississippi (www.wildlifemiss.org). The Governor's plan entails short term and long term goals to achieve pre Katrina status and later, pre Hurricane Camille status.

Some of the short term objectives of the Initiative include debris removal in the Mississippi Sound and contiguous waterways, shrimp and oyster habitat restoration and the restoration of Deer Island. The long-term objectives include the restoration of Petit Bois, Horn, Ship, Cat and Round Islands; these islands are critical for protecting the Coast from future hurricanes and also provide habitat for fish, shrimp, oysters, crabs, birds, reptiles and mammals. It also includes the restoration of damaged piers, docks, boat launches and hatchery services to restore infrastructure necessary for commercial and recreational fishing.

According to Governor Barbour, "Restoring the natural resources of the Mississippi Gulf Coast is not only good for the environment, but it's good for our economy. We all know that the natural resources of the Gulf Coast serve as the primary economic driver whether it's the scenic views enjoyed by tourists or the marine habitat vital to the seafood industry. Restoring our natural resources is not just about protecting the environment; it means jobs for our residents, and ultimately restoring the Coast's economy."

"Even before Katrina, we were working with our Congressional delegation to garner funds to achieve some of these objectives, but following the hurricane we have even more to do. Since the storm, I have met on several occasions with the President to discuss the urgent need for environmental restoration on the Coast, and I asked him to include funds for the effort in his budget. Like rebuilding Gulf Coast businesses and public infrastructure, the goal of rebuilding the coastal environment is a daunting task, but one that we must and will achieve. I look forward to working with the Department of Marine Resources, our Congressional delegation, and our partners from the natural resource community to make this plan a reality."

This is indeed an aggressive plan, and these restoration efforts will be expensive. It will take at least 10 years, and it will cost billions of dollars. While expensive, I believe the plan is absolutely necessary to successfully complete our efforts to recover, renew and rebuild the Gulf Coast.

I congratulate Governor Barbour on a great plan. If a storm like Katrina had to happen, I am glad it occurred while Mississippi has a man in the Governor's Office with vision, leadership and the know-how to work with Washington to not only restore Mississippi, but make her a better place than she was.