The Gulf of Mexico Alliance has released the Governors’ Action Plan IV for Healthy and Resilient Coasts, signed by the governors of all five Gulf states: Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. This is the fourth in a series of collaborative work plans that identifies priority issues, focus areas, and actions to enhance the environmental and economic health of the Gulf of Mexico.
“Over the last 17 years, the Alliance has built a reputation for fostering collaborative relationships that lead to positive change,” said Laura Bowie, executive director for the Gulf of Mexico Alliance. “Support from the governors of the five Gulf states demonstrates their continued commitment to working across the region on issues of shared importance.”
The work defined in Governors’ Action Plan IV was written as a shared effort among the five Gulf states, in partnership with federal agencies, academia, non-government organizations, and industry. Governors’ Action Plan IV includes commitments to strengthening community resilience, increasing regional data sharing, serving underrepresented communities, and improving management of coastal habitats and wildlife species.
“Through leadership from the five states, the Alliance embraces its mission to build partnerships and accomplish actions for a healthier Gulf,” said Joe Spraggins, executive director for the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources and chair of the Gulf of Mexico Alliance Management Team.
Heidi Stiller, south regional director for the NOAA Office for Coastal Management, said, “The Gulf of Mexico Alliance network provides tremendous value to the region and allows us to tackle coastal challenges with collaborative solutions and tools.” Stiller serves as a NOAA representative to the Gulf of Mexico Alliance Management Team.
To learn more about the Alliance and read the complete Governors’ Action Plan IV, visit www.gulfofmexicoalliance.org.
About the Gulf of Mexico Alliance The Gulf of Mexico Alliance is a regional partnership focused on enhancing the environmental and economic health of the Gulf of Mexico through increased collaboration. Led by the five Gulf states, our network includes over 150 participating organizations from state and Federal agencies, Tribal governments, communities, academia, non-governmental organizations, and industry. Priority issues addressed by the Alliance include coastal community resilience; data and monitoring; education; habitat; water resources; wildlife and fisheries; and marine debris.
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