What’s New:
UPDATE ON STATUS: RESTORE Direct Component (Bucket 1) RFGA
The Bucket 1 Review Team has submitted its evaluations of the more than 200 project applications, totaling approximately $3.4 billion, received in response to the RFGA for the RESTORE Direct Component (Bucket 1) grant funds. As a reminder, the Bucket 1 Review Team consisted of representatives from several state agencies and the Governor’s Office. Commissioner Baker is in the process of reviewing those completed evaluations and the applications to identify potential projects for funding.
Following Baker’s review, and in collaboration with the Governor, a draft project list will be selected for inclusion in the State’s Multi-Year Implementation Plan (MIP). Under the RESTORE Act this plan is required to secure project funding and will be posted for public comment prior to submission to U.S. Treasury.
Please continue to visit this website for information on when the draft MIP, with the project list, will be posted in both the Texas Register and this website for public comment. Following the 45-day comment period, the finalized MIP will be submitted to the U.S. Treasury for acceptance.
We appreciate the overwhelming interest in the RESTORE Act program and look forward to presenting an MIP to the public that maximizes the benefit of these funds to the environment and economy of the Texas coast.
Texas Trustee Implementation Group Reviewing Restoration Project Proposals
The Texas Trustee Implementation Group (Texas TIG) is in the process of reviewing restoration proposals that were submitted by the August 31, 2016 deadline. This review is the next phase of Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) restoration planning.
Restoration funds allocated to the Texas TIG must be used for five specific restoration types. Early Restoration projects are already funding bird and sea turtle restoration types. Therefore, the Texas TIG is prioritizing current restoration planning efforts on restoration types that were not addressed previously: 1) restore and conserve wetland, coastal, and nearshore habitats; 2) restore water quality through nutrient reduction (nonpoint source); and 3) replenish and protect oysters. The Texas TIG will also consider projects for engineering and design that focus on the three restoration types mentioned above. The focus will be on these restoration categories, however the Texas TIG will continue to consider any important opportunities for additional restoration and protection of avian resources and sea turtles. All projects will be evaluated using the criteria established in the NRDA regulations (15 CFR 990.54).
Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council Releases the Draft 2016 Comprehensive Plan Update and Public Meeting Schedule
The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (Council) has released a proposed update to its 2013 Comprehensive Plan. The draft provides strategic guidance for the Council to follow as it makes decisions on funding projects and activities aimed at restoring the Gulf of Mexico.
Public comments on the draft Comprehensive Plan Update will be accepted from August 23, 2016 to October 7, 2016.
For additional information on the draft plan and all of the public meetings, visit the Council’s website at www.RestoreTheGulf.gov.
One of the public meetings will be held in Texas:
Thursday, September 29, 2016 @ 6:00 p.m.
Sea Scout Base
7509 Broadway
Galveston, TX 77554
Registration is not required.
The Council staff is also sponsoring a webinar on Thursday, September 8, 2016 @ 5:00 p.m. If you want to participate, you must register at:
www.RestoreTheGulf.gov
Three other options available to provide comment:
• Online at: www.RestoreTheGulf.gov
• By mail to:
Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council
Attention: Draft Comprehensive Plan Update Comments
Hale Boggs Federal
Building
500 Poydras Street, Suite 1117
New Orleans, LA 70130; and
• By e-mail to frcomments@restorethegulf.gov
Commissioner Baker Testifies at House Natural Resources Committee Hearing
View Commissioner Baker’s presentation.
Commissioner Baker’s Editorial on the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, “From Destruction, Restoration”
The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (Council) approved the Initial Funded Priorities List (FPL) and the Spill Impact Component Rule
Funded Priorities List (FPL) (Bucket 2)
An FPL was adopted by the Council to implement Bucket 2 (Council-Selected) of the federal RESTORE Act. The Council-approved FPL includes environmental projects and activities directly benefiting the state of Texas. See specific information on all the selected projects.
Spill Impact Component Rule (Bucket 3)
The Council also adopted the final rule to implement Bucket 3 (Spill Impact) of the RESTORE Act. The rule was posted for public comment through October 2015. View the final rule.
NRDA-DWH project proposals were accepted until 5:00 p.m., August 31, 2016.
Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund (NFWF)
Learn about restoration funded by the criminal case settlements from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Where the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is working with state and federal agencies to administer spill restoration.
Government Trustees Restoring the Gulf (NRDA)
Learn about the state and federal Natural Resource Trustees and the efforts underway to restore the resources harmed by the
Deepwater Horizon oil spill through the Oil Pollution Act's natural resource damage process.
Civil Penalties Funding Gulf Restoration (RESTORE Act)
Learn about the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council, set up when Congress passed the federal RESTORE Act in 2012, to administer civil penalty funding for spill restoration and economic recovery and the Texas RESTORE Advisory Board (TxRAB).