AUSTIN, TX -- Today, the Texas Commission on Environmental Equality (TCEQ) released a draft list of projects to receive funds through the RESTORE Act Texas Bucket 1 grant program. The list includes four projects in Nueces County and one project in the Rio Grande Valley. Senate District 20 will benefit from potentially $28.1 million in funding to provide significant environmental and economic benefits to our communities.

Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa issued the following statement:

"The $28.1 million in funding for critical environmental and infrastructure needs is a great benefit to our South Texas communities. Infrastructure is key to continue the economic growth of South Texas and at the same time restore and protect our environment.

These projects will advance our infrastructure needs, restore and protect our parks and beaches, increase our local tourism and economic development, and improve the safety of our families. The strong local support and investment into these project from our local communities played a key role in successfully obtaining these funds."

• Raymondville Drain Project - $7 million grant for Phase 2 Restoration and Flood Control submitted by the Hidalgo County Drainage District #1.
• Texas State Aquarium - $5.1 million grant for the expansion of the Aquarium to increase tourism and education in Nueces County.
• Padre Balli and Magee Beach Parks - $7.5 million grant for restoration of parks and beach clean-up submitted by Nueces County Coastal Parks.
• Removal of Unauthorized Oil and Gas Well Stubs - $6.9 million grant to remove oil and gas well stubs and associated material in Nueces County submitted by the General Land Office.
• Shamrock Island Restoration - $1.5 million grant for the restoration and protection of Shamrock Island in Nueces County submitted by the Nature Conservancy.

The RESTORE grants, a reimbursement program, are funded by federal administrative and civil penalties paid by the responsible parties from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. This project list was developed as part of a very competitive process with over 200 project applications.

The full project list will be included in the draft Texas Multi-Implementation Plan (MIP) that will be posted for public comment in the Texas Register as well as on the website, http://www.restorethetexascoast.org/. During the 45 day comment period constituents will have an opportunity to provide comments regarding the projects. Comments received will be taken into consideration for the final list Texas will submit to the U.S. Treasury for acceptance.

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