(July 16, 2025) – Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) and other conservation leaders, policymakers, and outdoor advocates gathered at the historic Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium for a special screening of Steel to Sanctuary: The Rigs to Reef Story, an inspiring new documentary that captures the transformation of decommissioned oil platforms into thriving marine habitats in the Gulf of America (Gulf) through the Rigs to Reefs program.
Despite its success in converting over 600 platforms into reefs, there are only about 1,100 of the original 7,000 platforms remaining in the Gulf, and the Rigs to Reef program faces significant challenges with bureaucratic delays such as the current requirement to move many of the platforms long distances to approved reefing areas. Steel to Sanctuary: The Rigs to Reef Story delves into this complex interplay of industry, government, and nature, highlighting the intricate permitting process involving federal agencies and the need for urgent reforms.
Hosted by the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation and presented by Arena Energy, the evening opened with a cocktail hour that welcomed guests from across the country, with opening remarks from Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Co-Chair Rep. Bruce Westerman, CSC Member Rep. Mike Ezell, CSF, and Arena Energy. Following the screening of the film, Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC) Member Governor Jeff Landry summed up what this program means to Louisiana and the entire Gulf coast and emphasized the need to expedite changes to the program that will allow more of these habitats to remain for future generations to enjoy. CSF was also joined by CSC Vice Chair Rep. Troy Carter, along with CSC Members Reps. Julia Letlow, Gary Palmer, Pete Stauber, among others, past CSC Vice Chair and former Congressman Garret Graves, and former Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt.
“This film effectively captures the significant contribution oil and gas infrastructure provides in the way of marine habitat, fisheries productivity, and successful angling destinations,” said CSF’s Senior Vice President Taylor Schmitz. “With a strong turnout in the room, the event was a great launching point in our efforts to educate all Americans on the value of these meccas of marine life and the need to increase the efficiency of the Rigs to Reefs program so that this habitat is available for future generations.”
CSF has made it a top priority to support this effort, working with the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus on legislation to better streamline the program’s permitting process and ensure more of this valuable habitat continues to benefit our fisheries long after oil and gas production has stopped and the wells have been sealed.
To watch Steel to Sanctuary: The Rigs to Reef Story, visit www.rigstoreef.com.
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