The federal and state natural resource trustees for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill (Trustees) intend to propose the additional early restoration projects described below to continue the process of using early restoration funding to restore natural resources, ecological services, and human use services injured or lost as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster. All early restoration projects will be selected and implemented in accordance with the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA), the Framework Agreement for Early Restoration Addressing Injuries Resulting from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill (Framework Agreement), and all applicable legal requirements, including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
In addition to the early restoration projects identified below, the Trustees will continue to identify potential additional early restoration projects. Those projects will be subject to early restoration planning. Ultimately, all early restoration plans will be incorporated into a single, comprehensive OPA Restoration Plan/Environmental Impact Statement, which will address natural resource damages resulting from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
The additional early restoration projects that the Trustees presently intend to propose are described below.
Alabama
Gulf State Park Enhancements (Baldwin County, Alabama).
This project would restore lost recreational use services and lost dune
habitat services through the following five primary elements: 1)
Construction of a coastal ecosystems interpretive center, 2)
construction of an environmental research and education facility to
benefit Alabama students, 3) trail construction and enhancement in the
park, 4) dune restoration along the park's extensive undeveloped
beachfront and 5) contribute to the construction of a lodge and meeting
facility to facilitate the enhanced visitor experience. The estimated
cost of this project is approximately $85.5 million.
Oyster Reef Restoration in Mobile County (Mobile County,
Alabama). This project would restore approximately 319 acres of oyster
reef in the estuarine waters of the State of Alabama. The project would
utilize oyster shell cultch to restore non[hyphen]producing oyster
reefs in Mobile County, Alabama, an area impacted by the DWH spill.
These restored reefs would be in proximity to other reefs that are
currently managed by the state and will be within the historic
footprint of oyster reefs in the area. The estimated cost of this
project is approximately $3.2 million.
Swift Tract Living Shoreline (Baldwin County, Alabama).
This project would construct an oyster breakwater/living shoreline to
stabilize and protect 1.6 miles of shoreline from erosion by dampening
wave energy while also providing substrate for oyster colonization. The
purpose is to reduce coastal marsh loss from shoreline erosion and
reestablish substrate for shellfish colonization. The estimated cost of
this project is approximately $5 million.
Florida
Perdido Key Dune Restoration (Escambia County, Florida).
The project would consist of planting 20 acres of appropriate dune
vegetation (e.g., sea oats, panic grasses, cord grasses, sea purslane,
and beach elder) approximately 40' seaward of the existing primary dune
over a length of approximately 4 miles of frontage. The purpose would
be to provide a buffer which would lead to enhanced dune habitats. The
estimated cost of this project is approximately $600,000.
Pensacola Bay Living Shoreline (Escambia County, Florida).
By constructing breakwaters, this project would stabilize shorelines at
Sanders Beach and Project Greenshores Site II areas within Pensacola
Bay. The purpose would be to protect the embayment and create salt
marsh habitat by reducing wave energy and providing substrate for
oyster larvae, which would help restore benthic secondary productivity.
Also included would be the creation of salt marsh habitat, which would
help to restore important habitat for many species of fish and birds.
The estimated cost of this project is approximately $11 million.
Florida Bay Seagrass Recovery Project (Gulf, Franklin and
Bay counties Florida). This project would provide for the restoration
of seagrass beds by stabilizing propeller scars over approximately two
acres in three Aquatic Preserves within Alligator Harbor, St. Joseph
Bay and St. Andrew Bay. Also included would be boater outreach
educational information and Shallow Seagrass Area signage. The
estimated cost of this project is approximately $2.7 million.
Florida Cat Point Living Shoreline Project (Franklin
County, Florida): By constructing a breakwater, this project would
stabilize shoreline in St. George Sound. The purpose would be to
protect the embayment and create salt marsh habitat by reducing wave
energy and providing substrate for oyster larvae, which would help
restore benthic secondary productivity. Also included would be the
creation of salt marsh habitat, which would help to restore important
habitat for many species of fish and birds. The estimated cost of this
project is approximately $800,000.
Florida Oyster Reef Restoration (Escambia, Santa Rosa, Bay
and Franklin Counties, Florida). This project would involve placing
cultch material over approximately 210 acres for the settling of oyster
larvae and oyster colonization in the Pensacola Bay system in Escambia
and Santa Rosa Counties, the St. Andrew Bay system in Bay County, and
in the Apalachicola Bay system in Franklin County. The estimated cost
of this project is approximately $5.4 million.
Florida Gulf Coast Marine Fisheries Hatchery/Enhancement
Center (Escambia County, Florida). This project would provide for the
construction and operation of a saltwater sportfish hatchery. Lost
recreational fishing opportunities would be restored by providing
hatchery production and eventual release of sportfish species such as
red snapper, red drum, and spotted seatrout. The estimated cost of this
project is approximately $20 million.
Scallop Enhancement for Increased Recreational Fishing
Opportunity in the Florida Panhandle (Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa,
Walton, Bay, Gulf, and Franklin counties, Florida). This project would
enhance naturally occurring bay scallop (Argopecten irradians)
populations in Florida's panhandle bays to support expanded
recreational fishing opportunities. The estimated cost of this project
is approximately $3 million.
Florida Artificial Reef Creation and Restoration
(Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, and Bay counties, Florida).
This project would provide for enhancement at different depths, both
nearshore and offshore, of various permitted artificial reef areas off
the western panhandle counties. The purpose is to restore lost
recreational use through improved fishing and diving opportunities. The
estimated cost of this project is approximately $11.4 million.
Beach Enhancement Project at Gulf Island National Seashore
(Escambia County, Florida). This project involves removing tens of
thousands of cubic yards of asphalt fragments and road base material
that has been scattered over hundreds of acres and approximately 11
miles of the Fort Pickens and the Santa Rosa areas of Gulf Island
National Seashore. The purpose is to help restore lost recreational
opportunities to the Gulf. The estimated cost of this project is
approximately $11 million.
Big Lagoon State Park Boat Ramp Improvement (Escambia
County, Florida). This project would include adding an additional lane
to the boat ramp, expanding boat trailer parking, improving traffic
circulation at the boat ramp and providing a new restroom facility. The
purpose is to enhance visitors' access to coastal natural resources and
help restore lost recreational opportunities. The estimated cost of
this project is approximately $1.5 million.
Bob Sikes Pier Restoration (Escambia County, Florida).
This project would improve access to and add amenities of the existing
Bob Sikes Fishing Pier and parking area. Historically, the Bob Sikes
fishing pier has provided an opportunity for the general public to
access the Gulf of Mexico for fishing and site-seeing. The estimated
cost of this project is approximately $1 million.
Ferry Boat Access to Ft. Pickens, Gulf Island National
Seashore (Escambia County, Florida). This project would provide for the
purchase of two ferry boats for use in a new ferry service. The purpose
is to help restore lost recreational opportunities by improving visitor access to the Gulf
Island National Seashore. The estimated cost of this project is
approximately $4 million.
Perdido Key Boardwalk Improvements (Escambia County,
Florida). The project would replace the six boardwalks leading to the
beach, thus restoring lost recreational use services by improving
visitor access. The project includes two beach access areas with three
boardwalks at each location. The estimated cost of this project is
approximately $600,000.
Shell Point Beach Nourishment (Wakulla County, Florida).
The project would provide for beach nourishment to improve public
recreational opportunities by placing approximately 15,000 cubic yards
of dredged sand from an approved upland borrow area on about one mile
of Shell Point Beach. The estimated cost of this project is
approximately $880,000.
Louisiana
Louisiana Outer Coast Restoration (Plaquemines Parish and
Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana). Barrier island restoration would restore
beach, dune, and back-barrier marsh habitat and will take place at the
following locations: Caillou Lake Headlands (also known as Whiskey
Island), Cheniere Ronquille, Shell Island (East and West Lobes), and
North Breton Island. The restoration work at each island involves
placement of appropriately-sized sediments to create beach, dune, and
back-barrier marsh areas; installation of sand fencing to trap and
retain wind-blown sediments and foster dune development; and
revegetation of appropriate native species. Louisiana barrier islands
provide important habitat for a wide variety of fish, shellfish, birds,
and other wildlife; they also were among the first terrestrial habitats
to be oiled during the Spill because of their position along the outer
coast. The estimated cost is approximately $320 million.
Louisiana Marine Fisheries Enhancement, Research and
Science Center (Calcasieu Parish and Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana).
This project would involve the development of two sites in Louisiana,
one in Calcasieu Parish and one in Plaquemines Parish, into facilities
that will assist with research and enhancement of marine fisheries. The
estimated cost of this project is approximately $22 million.
Mississippi
Hancock County Marsh Living Shoreline (Hancock County,
Mississippi). This project would construct an approximately six mile
Living Shoreline to reduce shoreline erosion, re-establish oyster
habitat, and enhance fisheries resources and marsh habitat.
Approximately 46 acres of marsh would be constructed to protect and
restore marsh and 46 acres of sub-tidal oyster reef would be created in
Heron Bay to protect the shallow embayment and to increase oyster
production in the area. The estimated cost of this project is
approximately $50 million.
Restoration Initiatives at the INFINITY Science Center
(Hancock County, Mississippi). INFINITY is a state-of-the-art
interactive science research, education, and interpretive center
located in Hancock County. This project would provide for the
construction of wetland walkways, viewing structures, piers and
interpretive centers. Additional components would include indoor
exhibits and a greenhouse/nursery for growing native wetland species.
The purpose would be to replace lost recreational opportunities through
enhanced visitors' access to coastal natural resources. The estimated
cost of this project is approximately $10.4 million.
Popp's Ferry Causeway Park (Harrison County, Mississippi).
The project would provide for construction of an interpretive center
with trails and boardwalks, and other recreational enhancements. This
project would replace lost recreational opportunities by enhancing
existing amenities for visitors to be able to fish, crab, walk and
observe nature. The estimated cost of this project is approximately
$4.7 million.
Pascagoula Beach Front Promenade (Jackson County,
Mississippi). The project would provide a two-mile, 10-foot wide
lighted concrete pathway complete with benches, shower stations, fire
pits, sculptures, fishing areas and a playground. The purpose would be
to restore the loss of shoreline recreational opportunities by
enhancing access to the Mississippi Sound and its natural resources.
The estimated cost of this project is approximately $3.8 million.
Texas
Texas Artificial Reef (mid/upper coast; Jefferson or
Nueces County). This project would provide artificial reef structure
along the Texas coast. Artificial reefs would be placed offshore if the
necessary large-scale materials are available or nearshore using
constructed stable and clean materials. The artificial reefs would be
developed in existing permitted reef sites. Artificial reefs are used
by fishermen and scuba divers as recreational areas due to the aquatic
community that develops in reef habitat. The estimated cost of this
project is approximately $1.8 million.
Development of Nearshore Artificial Reefs in the Texas
Waters of the Gulf of Mexico (Brazoria County, Texas). This project
would provide for the enhancement of a nearshore reef site off
Freeport, Texas. The estimated cost of this project is approximately $2
million.
Enhancement of the Matagorda Nearshore Artificial Reefs in
the Texas Waters of the Gulf of Mexico (Matagorda County, Texas). This
project would include the construction of a new nearshore artificial
reef site off of Matagorda, Texas. The estimated cost of this project
is approximately $3.5 million.
Sea Rim State Park Amenities (Jefferson County, Texas).
The project would provide for construction of facilities that provide
enhanced recreation within Sea Rim State Park, including a fish
cleaning station, restroom facility, and two wildlife viewing blinds.
The purpose would be to allow for enhanced fishing experiences,
observation, and interpretive opportunities. The estimated cost of this
project is approximately $210,000.
Galveston Island State Park Beach Re-development
(Galveston County, Texas). This project would provide for the
construction of multi-use campsites, tent campsites, an equestrian
trail head, beach access via dune walk-over boardwalks and other
recreational enhancements on the Gulf side of Galveston Island State
Park. The purpose would be to restore the loss of recreational
opportunities by enhancing access to the Gulf. The estimated cost of
this project is approximately $10.7 million.
Next Steps
In the coming months the Trustees will provide more information
about the proposed projects and will at that time invite public review
and comment in accordance with the OPA regulations, 15 CFR Sec. Sec.
990 et seq.
Administrative Record
The documents comprising the Administrative Record can be viewed
electronically at the following location: http://www.doi.gov/deepwaterhorizon.
On or about April 20, 2010, the mobile offshore drilling unit Deepwater Horizon, which was being used to drill a well for BP Exploration and
Production, Inc. (BP), in the Macondo prospect (Mississippi Canyon 252-
MC252), exploded, caught fire and subsequently sank in the Gulf of
Mexico, resulting in an unprecedented volume of oil and other
discharges from the rig and from the wellhead on the seabed. The
Deepwater Horizon oil spill is the largest oil spill in U.S. history
due to the millions of barrels of oil discharged over a period of 87
days. In addition, well over one million gallons of dispersants were
applied to the waters of the spill area in an attempt to disperse the
spilled oil. An undetermined amount of natural gas was also released to
the environment as a result of the spill. Affected natural resources
include ecologically, recreationally, and commercially important
species and their nearshore and offshore habitats in the Gulf of Mexico
and along the coastal areas of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana,
Mississippi, and Texas.
The state and federal natural resource trustees (Trustees) are
conducting the natural resource damage assessment (NRDA) for the
Deepwater Horizon oil spill under the Oil Pollution Act 1990 (OPA; 33
U.S.C. 2701 et seq.). Pursuant to OPA, federal and state agencies act
as trustees on behalf of the public to assess natural resource injuries
and losses and to determine the actions required to compensate the
public for those injuries and losses. OPA further instructs the
designated trustees to develop and implement a plan for the
restoration, rehabilitation, replacement, or acquisition of the
equivalent of the injured natural resources under their trusteeship,
including the loss of use and services from those resources from the
time of injury until the time they are restored. Pursuant to the
process articulated in the Framework Agreement, the Trustees have
previously selected, and BP has agreed to fund, a total of ten early
restoration projects, expected to cost a total of approximately $71
million, through the Phase I and Phase II Early Restoration Plans.
The Trustees are:
U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), as represented by
the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Bureau
of Land Management;
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), on
behalf of the U.S. Department of Commerce;
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA);
U.S. Department of Defense (DOD); \1\
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\1\ Although a trustee under OPA by virtue of the proximity of
its facilities to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, DOD is not a
member of the Trustee Council and does not participate in Trustee
decision-making.
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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA);
State of Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration
Authority, Oil Spill Coordinator's Office, Department of Environmental
Quality, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, and Department of
Natural Resources;
State of Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality;
State of Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources and Geological Survey of Alabama;
State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection
and Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; and
For the State of Texas: Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department, Texas General Land Office, and Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality.
Background on Early Restoration
On April 20, 2011, BP agreed to provide up to $1 billion to fund
early restoration projects in the Gulf of Mexico to begin addressing
injuries to natural resources caused by the Deepwater Horizon oil
spill. The Framework Agreement represents a preliminary step toward the
restoration of injured natural resources and the lost use of, and
services from, those resources. The Framework Agreement is intended to
expedite the start of restoration in the Gulf in advance of the
completion of the injury assessment process. The Framework Agreement
provides a mechanism through which the Trustees and BP can work
together ``to commence implementation of early restoration projects
that will provide meaningful benefits to accelerate restoration in the
Gulf as quickly as practicable'' prior to the resolution of the
Trustees' natural resource damages claim.
The Trustees actively solicited public input on restoration project
ideas through a variety of mechanisms, including public meetings,
electronic communication, and creation of a Trustee-wide public Web
site and database to share information and receive public project
submissions. The Trustees' key objective in pursuing early restoration
is to secure tangible recovery of natural resources and natural
resource services for the public's benefit while the longer-term
process of fully assessing injury and damages is underway. As the first
step in this accelerated process, the Trustees released, after public
review of a draft, a Phase I Early Restoration Plan/Environmental
Assessment (Phase I ERP) in April 2012. In December 2012, after public
review of a draft, the Trustees released a Phase II Early Restoration
Plan/Environmental Review (Phase II ERP). Collectively, the Phase I and
Phase II ERPs include a total of ten projects that were selected by the
Trustees and, after negotiations in accordance with the terms of the
Framework Agreement, agreed to by BP. Those restoration actions include
nine separate projects that are ready for implementation, and one
project that the Trustees have selected for completion for project
design and final NEPA review. The Trustees have begun implementing many
of the projects selected in the Phase I and Phase II ERPs.
In continuation of the early restoration process, following lengthy
negotiations with BP to secure funding under the Framework Agreement,
the Trustees intend to propose the additional early restoration
projects described herein to partially restore injured natural
resources and lost natural resource services caused by the Deepwater
Horizon oil spill. If selected, these projects collectively would
represent close to $600 million in funding (in addition to the $71
million previously committed) to support early restoration. The
Trustees anticipate seeking formal public comment on these projects in
accordance with the OPA regulations, 15 C.F.R. 990 et seq. The Trustees
intend to evaluate proposed restoration alternatives in accordance with
all applicable law and regulations, including, without limitation, OPA
and its implementing regulations, the National Environmental Policy
Act, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq., the Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C.
Sec. Sec. 5131 et seq., the National Historic Preservation Act, 16
U.S.C. 470 et seq., the Coastal Zone Management Act, 16 U.S.C. 1451 et
seq., the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, 16
U.S.C. 1801 et seq., and any applicable permitting requirements. The
Trustees will also evaluate the proposed alternatives pursuant to the
criteria included in the Framework Agreement.
The Trustees will continue to identify potential additional early
restoration projects. Those projects will be subject to early
restoration planning. Ultimately, all early restoration plans will be
incorporated into a single, comprehensive OPA Restoration Plan/
Environmental Impact Statement, which will address natural resource
damages resulting from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.