The Alabama Coastal Recovery Commission presented an almost 200-page report to Gov. Bob Riley on Wednesday. Gov. Riley appointed the commission and asked them to report on the details of the Deepwater oil rig explosion and oil leak and to make recommendations on how to cope with such disasters in the future.

Gov.-elect Robert Bentley was there as well and he and Riley both thanked the commission and its members for the hard work they put into the document and the vision it has for a revitalized Gulf Coast of Alabama.

According to a story in The Birmingham News, the report takes on the claims process for people and businesses affected by the oil spill. It also recommends new marketing efforts for the seafood industry based on our coast and on the need for a beach-front convention hotel near the Gulf State Park.

We haven’t had the opportunity to read the entire report, but from what we know it sounds like a good piece of work by a dedicated group of people.

Let’s hope the report is widely distributed and used as a starting place for those who will revitalize Alabama’s 32 miles of coastline. From Ft. Morgan to Perdido Pass, the citizens of Alabama enjoy a diverse seaside culture that has been severely affected by this oil spill.

It’s time to make it right and we look forward to our government and our people working together to do just that.