Local RESTORE Council begins work

Franklin County’s RESTORE Council has held its first meeting and is setting to work on how to spend any money Franklin County gets from BP fines.

The RESTORE council is a 7 member board that was created to consider projects proposed for funding through any money Franklin County receives from fines levied on BP because of the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

There will be millions of dollars coming to Franklin County through the fund.

Alan Pierce, who oversees the RESTORE program for Franklin County, said there is already about 3 and a half million dollars earmarked for Franklin county right now, and 23 million over the next 15 years.

Mister Pierce said he hopes that county can get matching grants for most of its projects and parlay about 50 million dollars worth of work out of it.

To get the money, the county will have to create a multi-year restoration plan which is part of the work the RESTORE Council will have to complete.

After that the council can start considering project proposals.

Mister Pierce said it will be at least 3 to 6 months before the council starts taking proposals.

The council will meet again in February and will likely meet monthly after that. 

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