Since the Gulf Coast oil spill occurred in 2010, Ducks Unlimited has been urging Congress to support legislation that ensures penalties paid by the parties responsible for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill under the Clean Water Act are directed back to the Gulf Coast region. Last week, the Senate moved towards that goal when the Committee of Environment and Public Works voted to approve the RESTORE the Gulf Coast Act of 2011. The bill contains language that would direct 80 percent of Gulf spill-related penalties paid under the Clean Water Act toward the long-term health of the Gulf region's coastal ecosystem and economies. Now that the bill has passed in the committee, it is waiting to be considered on the Senate floor.

"Ensuring that penalties paid by the parties deemed responsible for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill under the Clean Water Act are directed back to the Gulf region is essential to restoring vital waterfowl habitat," DU Director of Public Policy Barton James said. "DU is pleased to see that the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works is moving forward with this legislation. To guarantee that this region is properly restored, Congress must work together to pass meaningful legislation."

Not only is coastal Louisiana one of the most significant areas for waterfowl in North America, but outdoor recreation also generates significant revenue for our country. On average, hunting and fishing are an $80 billion a year industry. "Restoring coastal wetlands provides positive benefits for America's strong hunting tradition and our economy," explained James.

Coastal Louisiana provides prime migration and wintering habitat for millions of ducks and geese. However, the Gulf Coast is experiencing staggering wetlands loss. In Louisiana alone, an area of wetlands the size of a football field is lost every 38 minutes. To protect this vital habitat, DU has been working to promote long-term wetlands restoration in the Gulf Coast region for decades. Please join us in asking Congress to Direct Oil Spill Fines Back to Gulf Coast Restoration today!