FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Dan Turner (601) 576-2009; dturner@governor.state.ms.us
Laura Hipp (601) 576-2020; lhipp@governor.state.ms.us
DATE: Aug. 16, 2010
GOVERNOR BARBOUR ESTABLISHES PANEL TO SET VISION FOR GULF COAST
RECOVERY, DEVELOPMENT
Governor Haley Barbour today announced the creation of a broad-based
panel that will report on the impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill
and aid in the development of a long-term vision to enhance the Gulf of
Mexico for the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
The Mississippi Gulf of Mexico Commission is a 34-member board of
scientists and business leaders with representatives of state and local
governments acting as ex officio members.
“In the wake of the oil spill, we have an opportunity to address any
number of issues in a comprehensive way, not just for right now, but
into the future,” Gov. Barbour said. “This commission will have a
wide charge, from preliminarily determining the impact of the oil spill
on Gulf ecosystems to addressing concerns about seafood safety to
improving hurricane protection and habitat restoration. The Gulf of
Mexico is the driving force of the Gulf Coast economy, so effective
long-term planning and action to improve this asset will result in
long-term economic growth for the MS Gulf Coast.”
The commission will work closely with the Gulf of Mexico Alliance and
various state agencies to develop a plan to submit to Navy Secretary Ray
Mabus, the former Mississippi governor tapped to lead the long-term
restoration of the Gulf of Mexico. The Commission’s first meeting is
scheduled for 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 17, on the 7th floor of the
Hancock Bank, 2510 14th St., Gulfport.
Commission members include Co-Chairs Dr. Bill Walker, director of the
Department of Marine Resources, and Trudy Fisher, director of the
Department of Environmental Quality; Richard Gollott representing
seafood processors; Tom Becker representing the Mississippi Gulf Coast
Charter Boats Association; Dr. Vernon Asper, marine science professor at
USM; Dr. Ray Highsmith, director of the National Institute for Undersea
Science and Technology at Ole Miss; Dr. David Shaw, vice president for
Research and Economic Development at MSU; Dr. LaDon Swann, director of
Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium; Dr. Jay Grimes, professor of
marine microbial ecology at USM; Ron Peresich, chairman of the Gulf
Coast Business Council; John Hairston with Hancock Bank; Jerry St. Pe,
Jackson County businessman; Chuck Benvenutti, Hancock County
businessman; Robert Khayat, former Ole Miss Chancellor; Frances Turnage
with the State Port Commission; Hank Bounds, IHL commissioner; Steve
Renfroe with Chevron; Tish Williams, Director of the Hancock County
Chamber of Commerce; Senator Tommy Moffatt; Representative Frances
Fredericks; 11 mayors; and the presidents of the Jackson, Harrison, and
Hancock county Boards of Supervisors.
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