The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (Council), through its Initial Funded Priorities List (FPL) approved Dec. 9, 2015, is using funds from the settlement with Transocean Deepwater Inc. to provide near-term, on-the-ground ecosystem benefits, while also conducting planning activities designed to build a foundation for future success as additional funds become available from other parties.
FINAL List - Approved Dec. 9, 2015 - Updated Apr. 7, 2016 [PDF 275pp. 4.5Mb]
FPL Errata Sheet - Apr. 7, 2016 [PDF 1pp. 74Kb]
Proposed Council Funding Approval for Robinson Preserve Wetlands Restoration
The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (Council) seeks public comment on a proposal to amend its Initial (2015) Funded Priorities List to approve $1,790,546 in implementation funding for the Robinson Preserve Wetlands Restoration project sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. These funds would be used to restore 118.2 acres of coastal habitat and restore more natural hydrology, along with related activities in Tampa Bay, Florida.
On August 30, 2017, the Council issued a 30-day Federal Register notice on this proposed funding approval. This notice includes additional information on this proposal, as well as how to submit comments to the Council. The public is encouraged to review this proposed funding approval and provide comment prior to the close of the Federal Register comment period on September 29, 2017. After considering all public input received during the comment period, the Council will then determine whether to proceed to a vote on this funding proposal.
Amendment: Texas Beneficial Use/Marsh Restoration (Planning) - July 26, 2017
The Council has amended the Initial FPL to modify the geographic area for beneficial use planning for potential future marsh restoration activities. The Council will utilize Initial FPL funding to support planning in the Greens Lake area, Pierce Marsh, and Salt Bayou. Planning in the Nelda Stark location will instead be performed utilizing Natural Resource Damage Assessment funds. This modification is covered by the existing National Environmental Policy Act documentation used for this FPL activity.
Amendment: Tampa Bay Estuary Program- June 14, 2017
The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (Council) amended the Initial Funded Priorities List (FPL) to approve implementation funding for support of the Tampa Bay Estuary Program (TBEP) restoration project elements sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Council approved $1,444,960 in implementation funding for the TBEP project elements and reallocated $100,000 from planning to implementation. The total amount available for implementation of the TBEP project elements is $1,544,960. These funds will be used to implement five coastal restoration elements within the TBEP’s watershed boundary. Below please find the link to the amended FPL Appendix, which describes the implementation activities associated with this amendment.
Amended Appendix Link
Environmental Compliance Document
Amendment: Palm River Restoration Project Phase II, East McKay Bay Project I - April 19, 2017
The Council has amended the Initial FPL to move the implementation phase of the project from FPL Category 2 (further Council consideration) to Category 1 (Council approval) and to reallocate $87,750 from the Palm River planning activity (already in Category 1) to implementation. $856,430 is now available for Palm River implementation. These funds will be used for construction of three stormwater ponds, exotic vegetation removal, native planting, monitoring, management of exotic species and maintenance of culverts and stormwater ponds along the river at the mouth of McKay Bay. Below please find links to the Council’s Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and the amended FPL Appendix, which describes the implementation activities associated with this amendment.
FONSI Link
Ammended Appendix Link
Amendment: Lowermost Mississippi River Management (Planning) - April 19, 2017
The Council has amended the Initial FPL to allocate the full $9,300,000 in approved funding for the Lowermost Mississippi River Management project to the State of Louisiana. The Initial FPL had provided that LMRM funding was to be equally allocated between the State of Louisiana and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Amended Appendix Link
Amendment: Strategic Land Protection, Conservation, and Enhancement of Priority Gulf Coast Landscapes in MS (Planning & Implementation) - March 8, 2017
The Council has amended the Initial FPL to modify the description of the potential acquisition and conservation area associated with the De Soto National Forest to include the upper reaches of the Biloxi River. This modification is covered by the existing National Environmental Policy Act documentation used for this FPL activity.
Amended Appendix Link
Amendment: GOMA Coordination - Nov. 16, 2016
The Council has amended the Initial FPL to switch the sponsor of the FPL activity entitled “GOMA Coordination” from the State of Alabama to the Department of Commerce. The Department of Commerce is a co-sponsor of a closely related FPL activity entitled “Council Monitoring & Assessment Program Development." This proposed amendment increases administrative efficiency and facilitates project implementation and tracking. Amended Appendix Link
Amendment: Apalachicola Bay Oyster Restoration Project - Aug. 24, 2016
The Council has amended the Initial FPL to approve $4,680,000 in implementation funding for the Apalachicola Bay Oyster Restoration project in Florida. This Project will restore approximately 251 acres of oyster beds in Apalachicola Bay.
Below please find links to the Council’s Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and the amended FPL Appendix, which describes the implementation activities associated with this amendment.
FONSI Link
Amended Appendix Link
FPL Fact Sheets (Overview Map)
Detailed Proposal Review Process
FPL Environmental Compliance Library
Projects by watershed
Laguna Madre, TX Watershed/Estuary
Bahia Grande Coastal Corridor
Plug Abandoned Oil and Gas Wells
Bahia Grande Wetland System Restoration
Matagorda Bay, TX Watershed/Estuary
Matagorda Bay System Priority Landscape Conservation
Galveston Bay, TX Watershed/Estuary
Bayou Greenways
Texas Beneficial Use/Marsh Restoration
Mississippi River Delta, LA Watershed/Estuary
Jean Lafitte Canal Backfilling
West Grand Terre Beach Nourishment and Stabilization
Golden Triangle Marsh Creation
Biloxi Marsh Living Shoreline
Mississippi River Reintroduction into Maurepas Swamp
Lowermost Mississippi River Management
Bayou Dularge Ridge, Marsh & Hydrologic Restoration
Mississippi Sound, MS Watershed/Estuary
Deer Island Beneficial Use Site
Strategic Land Protection, Conservation, and Enhancement of Priority Gulf Coast Landscapes
SeaGrant Education and Outreach
The Mississippi Sound Estuarine Program
Enhancing Opportunities for Beneficial Use of Dredge Sediments
Mobile Bay, AL Watershed/Estuary
Coastal Alabama Comprehensive Watershed Restoration Planning Project
Alabama Living Shorelines Program
Comprehensive Living Shoreline Monitoring
Alabama Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Restoration & Monitoring Program
Marsh Restoration in Fish River, Weeks Bay, Oyster Bay & Meadows Tract
Mobile Bay National Estuary Program
Upper Mobile Bay Beneficial Use Wetland Creation Site
Enhancing Opportunities for Beneficial Use of Dredged Sediments
Pensacola Bay, FL Watershed/Estuary
Pensacola Bay Living Shoreline - Phase I
Beach Haven - Joint Stormwater & Wastewater Improvement Project - Phase II
Bayou Chico Contaminated Sediment Removal- Planning, Design, and Permitting
Apalachicola Bay, FL Watershed/Estuary
Apalachicola Watershed Agriculture Water Quality Improvements
Tate’s Hell Strategy 1
Money Bayou Wetlands Restoration
Apalachicola Bay Oyster Restoration
Suwannee Watershed, FL Watershed/Estuary
Suwannee River Partnership Irrigation Water Enhancement Program
Tampa Bay, FL Watershed/Estuary
Palm River Restoration Project Phase II, East McKay Bay
Robinson Preserve Wetlands Restoration
Tampa Bay National Estuary Program
Gulf-wide
Council Monitoring & Assessment Program Development
GOMA Coordination
Strategic Conservation Assessment Framework
Baseline Flow, Gage Analysis & On-Line Tool to Support Restoration
Gulf Coast Conservation Reserve Program
Gulf of Mexico Conservation Enhancement Grant Program
Gulf of Mexico Habitat Restoration via Conservation Corps Partnerships
Gulf of Mexico Estuary Program