Going Deep on GOMESA

October 4, 2020

GOMESA has emerged as a major source of funding on the gulf.

On this episode of The Capitol Beach, host Derek Brockbank dives in to “GOMESA,” speaking with former Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu, Director of Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, Joe Spraggins, and Mobile, Alabama County Commissioner, Connie Hudson. The Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 directed federal funding generated from offshore oil production in the Gulf of Mexico to be returned to Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama for coastal conservation. A bill currently in Congress – the COASTAL Act – would increase the percent of revenue going back to the Gulf States and would lift the cap that limits how much funding Gulf States can get. All the guests are strong supporters of GOMESA, and have been advocating for the COASTAL Act, but we also discuss some of the concerns with tying funding for coastal resilience to fossil fuel extraction. Listen to the podcast and decide what you think!

Show Transcription
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Derek Brockbank

Derek Brockbank is Executive Director of Coastal States Organization (CSO), which represents the nation’s Coastal States, Territories, and Commonwealths on ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes issues. With two decades of experience in Washington DC on coastal adaptation policy and organizational development, Derek is connecting state coastal management programs with federal agencies and resources in order to address the greatest coastal challenges facing society. He previously served as executive director for the American Shore & Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA) where he led the strategic planning and outreach, government affairs, and development goals of the nation’s leading organization advocating for beach and coastal restoration. Prior to starting with ASBPA, Derek worked as campaign director for a coalition effort to restore the Mississippi River Delta and Coastal Louisiana, and was part of a gulf-wide campaign to pass the RESTORE Act, securing billions of dollars for Gulf Coast restoration. This followed up on his work with National Wildlife Federation on climate adaption. Derek grew up in New York City and got his coastal education from an early age playing on the beaches of Long Island, and kayaking and fishing in Peconic Bay.