Friday’s announcement by Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann that the state had acquired 492 acres of Cat Island brought the majority of the barrier island off the Gulf Coast into state control. Hosemann stated that Cat Island was a “special treasure” due to its natural beauty and protection for the Mississippi Gulf Coast. “By finalizing the acquisition, we ensure your grandchildren’s grandchildren can enjoy this natural treasure for generations to come.” BP purchased the 492 acres of Cat Island’s eastern coast in 2011 from the Boddie Family to help with oil spillage cleanup following the Deepwater Horizon disaster. In the 2015 Legislative Session State Senator Sean Tindell (R-Gulfport) sponsored SB2438. The State and National Park Service made a swap for Goose Point’s 28.5 acres for land of equal value. 72 acres of the island’s land is still owned by the Boddies. The 492-acres were purchased from BP with $13.7 million federal funds through the Mississippi Coastal Improvements Program. The land was purchased by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as part of a long-term effort to restore the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and increase its resilience against future storms. After the deed was signed, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers handed the deed over to the State of Mississippi. Cat Island’s ecology was the driving force behind its acquisition. It has a maritime forest, estuarine marsh and sand dunes. Jamie Miller, executive director of Mississippi’s Department of Marine Resources said that Cat Island’s acquisition of its eastern shore was another example of Mississippi’s commitment to conserving and restoring our most scenic or sensitive habitats. “This new acreage will add to the existing Cat Island Coastal Preserve under the management of the agency.” The Department of Marine Resources will take care of the protection and conservation of marine interests on the island. The U.S. will also be part of the agreement. The U.S. Corps of Engineers will build sand beds along the eastern shore with 2 million cubic yards of dredged soil in order to restore the island to its pre-1998 state. It is expected that the project will be completed by next year.