WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., praised the announcement of an additional $68.9 million for restoration projects on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.  The funds are part of Phase III of early restoration from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

“Mississippi has already made great strides toward a full recovery from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill,” said Wicker.  “Allocation of these additional funds is a significant achievement in the restoration process.”  

On April 20, 2011, one year after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, BP agreed to provide up to $1 billion toward early restoration projects in the Gulf of Mexico. The projects are part of the agreement with BP for Gulf of Mexico restoration before completion of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA).

The proposed projects throughout the Gulf region total $627 million and include restoration of marshes, barrier islands, dunes, shorelines, and oyster beds.  Other projects would enhance access to recreational opportunities across the Gulf region, such as public trails and waterways. 

The four Mississippi projects funded in Phase III are the Hancock County Marsh Living Shoreline, the Popp’s Ferry Causeway Park, the Pascagoula Beachfront Promenade, and the Restoration Initiatives at the INFINITY Science Center.

Additional information about the Mississippi Phase III projects can be found at www.restore.ms.