What’s New:
UPDATE ON DRAFT MULTI-YEAR IMPLEMENTATION PLAN (MIP) FOR BUCKET 1 FUNDING – JULY 13, 2017
The public comment period for the draft MIP ended on June 30, 2017 and over 1400 comments were received. The comments are being reviewed as the next stage in the on-going evaluation process to determine activities for inclusion in Texas’ MIP, as well as the final determination of what will be applied for funding and ultimately what will receive funding through grant contracts with the TCEQ. Due to ongoing payments into the RESTORE Trust Fund, the total funding available under the Direct Component (Bucket 1) grant program now exceeds the $56 million originally identified in the RFGA.
Any questions concerning the Bucket 1 process discussed above should be directed to the TCEQ’s Procurements and Contracts section in the Office of Administrative Services at adrian.kyle@tceq.texas.gov.
As a reminder, check this web site periodically to ensure that you have the latest update on this and other RESTORE-related activities.
UPDATE: Council-Selected Bucket 2 Planning Grant Proposal: Public Commented Period Ended August 14, 2017
The RESTORE Council accepted public comments through August 14, 2017 on the proposal to provide limited RESTORE funds for the Council members (including Texas) to support the Comprehensive Plan commitments and identify future investments that will maximize the ability to achieve Gulf-wide restoration goals. The proposed funds would provide Council members with funding to support collaboration and leveraging that will produce the greatest on-the-ground restoration results possible. Adoption of the Bucket 2 Planning Grant FPL is expected in late Fall 2017.
Information on the proposed plan can be found at www.RestoreTheGulf.gov.
PUBLIC COMMENT REQUESTED ON DRAFT 2017 RESTORATION PLAN
The Texas NRDA Trustees are seeking public comment on the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Texas Trustee Implementation Group Draft 2017 Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment: Restoration of Wetlands, Coastal, and Nearshore Habitats; and Oysters. The draft plan, published May 18, 2017, proposes a suite of restoration projects to compensate for injuries to natural resources caused by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
The draft plan is available for public review and comment through June 19, 2017. Anyone can review the draft plan and submit comments at http://www.gulfspillrestoration.noaa.gov/restoration-areas/texas.
The plan will be available at public meetings in La Marque and Corpus Christi. Details regarding the public meetings are below. For additional information, read more about NRDA.
Project Submissions Closed
The Texas Trustee agencies (GLO, TPWD and TCEQ) and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) accepted project applications until January 3, 2017
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).