Poll: Put more money into coast

The American’s Wetland Foundation released the results of a national poll this morning that shows growing support for investing additional funds in the Gulf Coast area. The Kitchens Group, a Florida-based national market research firm, conducted the poll earlier this month and found that 91% of Americans believe the Gulf Coast is vital to the nation’s economy and domestic energy security. In a similar vein, protecting the Gulf Coast area that supplies energy to the country should be the responsibility of the federal government, according to 90% of respondents, with only 10% saying it is not a federal responsibility. Most Americans surveyed believe the federal government should also be responsible for restoring and maintaining the environmental health of the Mississippi River, which dumps nutrients into the Gulf of Mexico that create a dead zone that threatens marine life. Last year, the dead zone covered 8,400 square miles, an area the size of New Jersey. Valsin A. Marmillion, the foundation’s managing director, says political divides often create an impasse when trying to solve major problems like these. But the new poll could help. “Our hope is that all interests will utilize these findings to seek cooperative solutions to challenges that the American public views as critical to the region and nation’s healthy economic and environmental future,” he says. Pollster Jim Kitchens was surprised by some findings. “Seven out of 10 believe you can drill and protect the environment, that you can have both,” Kitchens says. “They don’t see it as an ‘either-or’ choice.” Complete poll results are available at americaswetland.com. —Jeremy Alford