Bike and Pedestrian Path Project Leverages Funds to Maintain Momentum

Construction of the Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group’s Bike and Pedestrian Use Enhancement Project is continuing uninterrupted due to a strong and productive partnership between the Trustees and the National Park Service. The project, on which construction began in January 2022, was at risk of being scaled back as recent material and labor cost increases resulted in a project funding shortfall. The National Park Service, however, has stepped up to make up the shortfall with non-Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment funds. 

The Bike and Pedestrian Path Project, located

Mississippi Trustee Implementation Group Announces Change to the Graveline Bay Land Acquisition and Management Project

The Mississippi Trustee Implementation Group is updating the Graveline Bay Land Acquisition and Management Project area to include two additional parcels. The Trustees implementing the project, the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of the Interior, have determined that a change to the project is necessary to target the acquisition of two parcels that were not previously available.   

The Graveline Bay Project is a preferred alternative identified and selected in our 2016-2017 Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment. The project includes the targeted

Free Gear Available for Gulf Reef Fish Anglers to Help Reef Fish Survive Release

Return 'Em Right, a coalition of organizations committed to increasing the survival of reef fish that are caught and released in the Gulf of Mexico, is now making training and gear available to interested recreational fish anglers in the Gulf. Anglers can visit returnemright.org to be one of the first to get free gear. 

The project is providing interested anglers with an opportunity to learn best release practices. Participating anglers will receive release gear that will help reduce fish mortality from barotrauma. Improving survival of reef fish that are released immediately benefits both

Notice of Intent to Draft Restoration Plan in Louisiana

The Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group is beginning the process of writing our Draft Bird Restoration Plan #7.1, a restoration plan focused on restoring and conserving birds injured by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.   

The Deepwater Horizon oil spill injured at least 93 species of birds, including year-round resident and migratory species. Injury occurred in each of the five coastal states and in multiple habitat types. The Louisiana Trustees have undertaken this restoration planning effort to meet the purpose of contributing to the compensation for and restoration of natural resources

Open Ocean 2022 Spring Webinar Materials Available

The Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group held its spring webinar on April 12, 2022. More than 60 people were in attendance. 

During the spring webinar, we presented information on two important restoration planning efforts: the third Open Ocean restoration plan, and the recently released Fish and Water Column Invertebrates Strategic Plan. The presentation was followed by a question and answer period where attendees’ questions were answered by Trustee staff. 

Materials from the webinar include: 

Information From Louisiana Trustees Webinar on Draft Restoration Plan #8 Now Available

The Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group held a virtual public meeting to present proposed projects from “Draft Restoration Plan/Environmental Assessment #8: Restoration of Wetlands, Coastal, and Nearshore Habitats” via webinar on April 5, 2022.

Trustee representatives provided information on two proposed preferred projects for engineering and design, two proposed preferred projects for construction, and two non-preferred alternatives. The presentation was followed by an opportunity for attendees to submit comments and ask questions.

Materials from the meeting include:

Presentation Slides

1,200 Acre, $151 Million Marsh Restoration Project Now Underway in Louisiana

Construction recently began on the almost 1,200 acre Upper Barataria marsh creation project. NOAA is the lead implementing trustee on behalf of the Deepwater Horizon Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group, and this is NOAA’s largest habitat restoration effort to date. The project will build upon previous efforts to restore wetland habitats in Louisiana. 

The project was approved by the Deepwater Horizon Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group in the Phase 2 Restoration Plan 3.3: Large-Scale Barataria Marsh Creation: Upper Barataria Component to restore habitats impacted by the 2010 oil spill

UPDATE: Meeting Location Change for May 12, 2022, Florida Trustee Implementation Group Public Meeting

The Florida Trustee Implementation Group, in response to a request from the community of Panacea, will now hold its open house and public meeting regarding the Draft Phase V.4 Florida Coastal Access Project: Restoration Plan and Supplemental Environmental Assessment on May 12, 2022 at:  

Panacea Community Center  

115 Otter Lake Road, Panacea, FL 32346 

Date: Thursday, May 12, 2022 

Time: Open house: 5:30 – 6:00 p.m. ET  

           Meeting: 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. ET 

There are no changes to the Public Webinar and virtual open house: 

Date: Tuesday, May 10, 2022 

Time: 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. ET 

Regist

Information from Texas’ Second Draft Restoration Plan Webinar Available

The Texas Trustee Implementation Group held a webinar on the Draft Restoration Plan/Environmental Assessment #2 on March 9, 2022. The presentation provided details on the draft restoration plan and the proposed preferred alternatives. During the webinar, comments from the attendees were received for consideration in the final plan. 

Links to the presentation and script are below. 

Open Ocean Trustees Release Restoration Strategy for Fish, Water Column Invertebrates

The Open Ocean Trustees released their first strategic plan (PDF, 102 pages) for restoring fish and water column invertebrates injured by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The plan is a result of the past collaborative work of subject matter experts with input from stakeholders provided during several public engagement opportunities.

Numerous fish and invertebrate species were injured by the oil spill, so it is infeasible to plan restoration for every species injured. This strategic plan will guide effective and efficient restoration planning for these resources. The plan identifies and