RESTORE Sign-on letter to Gov. Scott

By Jonathan Webber, Conservation Campaign Manager, Audubon Florida

The 2010 Gulf Oil Spill had a devastating effect on Florida’s environment and economy. As a passionate Audubon member and Gulf advocate, you likely appreciate and understand that our environment IS our economy. Many businesses located all along the Gulf Coast felt the effects of the spill first-hand.

BP and the other responsible parties are required to compensate business owners for economic losses and also required to pay fines for polluting the Gulf of Mexico. Most of the funds generated by these fines will be coming back to the Gulf Region (including Florida Gulf communities) thanks to a law called the RESTORE Act.

As RESTORE Act funds become available, Florida’s business leaders have a chance to make the Gulf whole again.

Their voices  are needed to make sure the State of Florida uses these funds on good projects that restore the health of the Gulf Coast. A letter to Governor Rick Scott is being circulated that says just that – but your help is needed to make sure local businesses are aware of this opportunity.

Please take a moment to think about names of businesses in your area that you think would be interested in signing on to this letter. Restaurants, marinas, retail shops, consultants, real estate, eco-tourism related outfits – almost every business in Florida is directly affected by our coastal tourism.

Make a list of business names, their city, and owner name and phone number (if you have it) and send it back to jsulek@audubon.org. Audubon representatives will then contact these businesses.

If you are a business owner and you would like to sign, please visit http://floridagulfbusinessletter.com/ and add  your name!

Thank you for your commitment to Florida’s Gulf.

You can view the letter to Governor Scott, who will ultimately approve many of the restoration projects, here: http://goo.gl/sHvb8V