Early Restoration Projects for Gulf Coast Selected

The first set of early environmental restoration projects that are proposed for funding under the landmark agreement BP Exploration & Production (BP) signed with the Trustees in April 2011 have been unveiled. The eight proposed projects are located in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi. Collectively, the projects will restore and enhance wildlife, habitats, the services provided by those habitats, and provide additional access for fishing, boating and related recreational uses. More projects are anticipated in the future. 

 

The Trustees responsible for identifying and implementing the first set of projects are from Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, the Department of the Interior and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The public will have the opportunity to review and comment on the initial projects before final approval and funding.

 

Mike Utsler, head of BP's Gulf Coast Restoration Organization says that the projects can be implemented quickly and have the potential for long-term benefits for the region. The initial projects were proposed for funding after the Trustees sought and received input from members of the public, local officials, environmental organisations and others.

 

The first projects selected are: Alabama Dune Restoration Cooperative Project, restoring 55 acres of coastal sand dune habitat with native vegetation, protective fencing and informative signs across the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, the Bureau of Land Management Fort Morgan properties, the City of Gulf Shores and the City of Orange Beach; Alabama Marsh Island Restoration Project, protecting 24 acres of existing salt marsh habitat and create 40 acres of additional salt marsh habitat in Portersville Bay; the Florida Boat Ramp Enhancement Project to repair two existing public boat ramps and construct two new public boat ramps in Escambia County to improve access and provide additional opportunities to the public for water and boating related recreational activities; Florida Pensacola Beach Dune Project to restore 20.4 acres of dune habitat near the western end of Santa Rosa Island in Escambia County, Florida with a mix of native dune vegetation along 4.2 miles of beach; Louisiana Lake Hermitage Marsh Project will create 104 acres of marsh within the Barataria Hydrologic Basin in Plaquemines Parish; Louisiana Oyster Cultch Project to provide 850 acres of productive oyster cultch habitat on public oyster seed grounds in six locations in coastal Louisiana; Mississippi Oyster Cultch Project to provide approximately 1,430 acres of productive oyster cultch habitat in Hancock County, Harrison County and Jackson County; Mississippi Artificial Reefs Project to create and enhance 67 existing low profile man-made reefs over approximately 201 acres in Mississippi's near shore waters.

In addition to reviewing and providing comment on the initial projects, the public can still submit project proposals. Projects that have the potential to deliver the greatest benefits to wildlife, habitat and recreational use will receive priority. Early restoration project proposals and additional information can be found on the website below.