Thank you, Senator.

How big is that dead zone out in the Gulf?

We have shared some of these concerns with the Department of Commerce staff and Senator Nelson's office.

This is most enlightening testimony. It is necessary testimony as we implement the RESTORE Act to try to get to, ultimately, restoration of the Gulf.

Remember what Senator Landrieu said; this thing was a balancing of competing interests.

I was proud to help author and vote for that legislation.

Thank you, Senator Landrieu. And, again, it is obvious, your leadership, by virtue of what you have just said.

I want to forgo any opening statements so that we can accommodate her need to get back to the floor.

We apologize for the late start. We just completed three votes.

Now we have the chance to set things right. Under the RESTORE Act, we can reinvest in nature to ensure the recovery of the Gulf of Mexico.

It is because of the opportunity created by the RESTORE Act that Florida has taken the unique approach of forming the Gulf Consortium.

However, three years later, the Gulf has seen only 7 percent of the early restoration monies.

Thank you, Senator Wicker.

I would be remiss if I let another moment go by without giving our sincere appreciation to congress for passing the RESTORE Act.

to ask Jack Lew to get off of dead-center and get those requirements that are the responsibility of Treasury under way.

It was through the leadership of Senator Bill Nelson and other Gulf state Senators that this historic legislation was passed.

Thank you for convening this hearing and for stimulating thoughtful dialogue that can lead to collaborative and productive implementation of the RESTORE Act.

So when you combine the dead zone with what is already going on because of the oil that came into the bays like Barataria, then you have a double problem.