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

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

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

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.

How big is that dead zone out in the Gulf?

Thank you, Senator Wicker.

The meeting will come to order. And it looks like it is very much in order.

This is an important coastal protection zone, if you will, for storms for people who live further inland.

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

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

Three years ago, we were in the middle of the worst man-made environmental disaster in our Nation's history--the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil platform.