Louisiana residents have the chance to say how they would like to see as much as $180 million in available federal money spent on coastal restoration and protection projects.

The money is part of the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States, or RESTORE, Act.

Signed into law in 2012, the legislation came about as a way to secure funding from the penalties associated with the 2010 Deepwater Horizon accident. Eleven workers were killed in the accident, and more than 4 million barrels of oil spilled into the Gulf of Mexico, affecting Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.

Because Louisiana’s coastline was so severely affected by the spill, it only makes sense that its residents — including those who live and work on the coast — have a voice in deciding how that money should be spent.

Jerome Zeringue, the governor’s executive assistant for coastal activities, told The Advocate recently that applications are being accepted that detail which projects residents would like to see funded by the money.

The deadline to submit a proposal is Sept. 30, and proposals can be emailed to coastal@la.gov. Submitted proposals must meet at least one of four coastal protection and restoration priorities.

But, he said, the priority will go to projects listed in a 50-year, $50 billion coastal restoration and protection report known as “Louisiana’s Comprehensive Master Plan for a Sustainable Coast.” The Legislature approved the plan in 2012.

The RESTORE Act includes a fund known as the Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund. The U.S. Treasury Department manages the fund, which will take in 80 percent of all penalties related to the BP oil spill. Right now, $800 million is pledged to the fund.

Thirty-five percent of the trust fund money is divided among the five Gulf Coast states. Of that amount, the coastal parishes will get 30 percent, and the state will get 70 percent.

The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council gets a 30 percent share of money from the trust fund. The council is made up of governors from the five Gulf Coast states, along with officials from federal agencies like the Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency.

While it is a short window, it is good that Louisiana is giving residents the opportunity to submit applications explaining which coastal restoration projects they would like to see funded. After all, residents certainly know what is best for the state’s fragile coastline.(MGNonline)