Early Restoration

Two agency employees release a rehabilitated sea turtle.

Early restoration projects include enhancing sea turtle
stranding response networks in some Gulf states. 

On April 20, 2011 we reached an agreement with BP to start restoration planning and implementation before the ongoing damage assessment was completed. This unprecedented arrangement allowed us to move forward with up to $1 billion in restoration projects. This agreement represents an initial step toward BP fulfilling its obligation to fund the restoration of natural resources injured by the spill.

Ten early restoration projects have been funded to date. Check out Phase I (PDF, 244 pages) and Phase II (PDF, 153 pages) early restoration plans and project fact sheets in the sidebar. You can also view all of our project locations and key information on our interactive project map.

We released a draft plan for the third phase of early restoration in December 2013. We are considering your comments as we finalize the document.

Public input has played an important role in the development of the first three rounds of early restoration planning, and will continue to help shape future early restoration projects. While early restoration is underway, the long term injury assessment continues.

We continue to accept proposals for early restoration projects. We evaluate proposals based on criteria laid out in the Framework Agreement and in federal and state regulations (PDF, 2 pages).

Examples of possible early restoration projects include:

  • Rebuilding coastal marshes
  • Replenishing damaged beaches
  • Improving human use of resources
  • Conserving sensitive areas of ocean habitat for impacted wildlife
  • Restoring barrier islands and wetlands

Early Restoration Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement

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Phase III

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Phase II

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Project Fact Sheets:

Phase I

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