MEDIA ADVISORY: Sept. 16, 2014 CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850.245.2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us DEP AND FWC SEEK PUBLIC INPUT ON PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS TO HELP WITH OIL SPILL RECOVERY ~Webinar offers information about RESTORE Act projects and future outlook~ TALLAHASSEE – Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will host a Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast Act of 2012 (RESTORE Act) funding and projects webinar on Sept. 23 at 1 p.m. WHAT:              Deepwater Horizon RESTORE Act Webinar   WHEN:              Sept. 23 from 1-2 p.m. REGISTER:       Deepwater Horizon RESTORE Act Webinar  The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council recently announced the process by which council members may submit projects for funding consideration under the Council-Selected Restoration Component. The submission window for council members to submit projects and proposals closes on Nov.17. The council has noted that the initial projects to be funded will focus on water quality and habitat restoration. DEP and FWC are considering many project proposals that align with these focus areas, such as watershed restoration. All the projects submitted through DEP’s online portal will be considered, but we are requesting that any new project proposals or updates to existing proposals be submitted through the portal as soon as possible. DEP and FWC will host a public meeting in Panama City on Oct. 22 in addition to the webinar. You can find more information at www.deepwaterhorizonflorida.com. About the Florida Department of Environmental Protection The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is the state’s principal environmental agency, created to protect, conserve and manage Florida’s environment and natural resources. The department enforces federal and state environmental laws, protects Florida’s air and water quality, cleans up pollution, regulates solid waste management, promotes pollution prevention and acquires environmentally-sensitive lands for preservation. The agency also maintains a statewide system of parks, trails and aquatic preserves. To view the department’s website log on to www.dep.state.fl.us. http://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLDEP/bulletins/cfa0f4

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