Public and expert opinion confirm demand for Gulf restoration actionpoliticians can't ignore

NEW YORK,  PRNewswire-USNewswire - GHN News -- "Playing politics with Gulf Coast
restoration is a losing proposition." 



 David Yarnold, President & CEO of National Audubon Society, made that statement regarding release of a new poll on Gulf Coast restoration by Lake Research Partners and Bellwether Research and Consulting.

He went on to say, "This poll of Gulf voters is a wake-up call for anyone who would put
political bickering ahead of the restoration that can safeguard the
people, the ecosystems and the future of the Gulf.

"Senators seeking to block restoration plans and funding had better
pay attention: Three of five Gulf Coast voters say they'd be less likely
to cast ballots for federal legislators who vote against restoration
funding. Nearly eight out of ten want to see a separate restoration fund
created from the billions that BP will pay in fines.  And nearly nine
out of ten see the health of the Gulf as important to their states'
economies. These are not concerns to be trifled with.

"This is a powerful endorsement of the funding and restoration plans that Secretary Ray Mabus
recommended just yesterday.  To ignore those recommendations and this
kind of public support would amount to a slap in the face for every
American who cares about this national treasure.  The poll confirms that
is not the kind of slap the public will take lightly.

"The House of Representatives has spoken. The White House has spoken.
The people have spoken. Senators, it's up to you now, and everyone is
watching"

The poll was funded by the Walton Family Foundation and
released by a coalition of pro-restoration environmental, business,
fishing, and anti-poverty organizations, including Audubon.

Poll details can be found at:  http://www.waltonfamilyfoundation.org/gulf-region-poll-results/