Florida Trustees Initiate Restoration Planning

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The Florida Trustee Implementation Group is drafting a restoration plan for the third phase of the Florida Coastal Access Project to address natural resource injuries from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

The Florida Coastal Access Project addresses a portion of the lost recreational use in Florida. Both the first phase, described the Phase V Early Restoration Plan, and the second phase, described in the Phase V.2 Restoration Plan, included acquisition and/or enhancement of recreational amenities at five coastal parcels in the Florida Panhandle. Funding for this phase of the Florida Coastal Access Project will come from funds not utilized in the previous phases. This restoration plan will be drafted consistent with the Phase V Early Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment.

We expect to release a draft restoration plan for this third phase of the Florida Coastal Access project later this year. You will have the opportunity to review and provide input on the proposed restoration plan, including the specific proposed project. After the public comment period ends, we will review, consider, and incorporate public comments before releasing a final restoration plan.