Funding of $99.6 Million Granted for Continued Restoration of Gulf-wide Resources Affected by Deepwater Horizon Disaster

The NOAA and the Deepwater Horizon Regionwide Trustee Implementation Group have finalized their first restoration plan, which includes all four federal agencies and all five Gulf states. This comprehensive plan, totaling 401 pages, aims to restore the environment after the 2010 oil spill, and will cost $99.6 million.

The Final Restoration Plan for the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill focuses on four key areas: birds, marine mammals, oysters, and sea turtles.

In Florida, particularly the regions of Brevard County and Indian River County, beaches are among the areas affected. Additionally, coastal sections in the Mexican states of Quintana Roo and Yucatán are also being considered in the marine turtle projects as part of the final restoration planning.

The plan includes 11 restoration projects across all five Gulf coast states, Mexico, and the Atlantic coast of Florida.

One project, worth $35.8 million, will increase the resilience of and restore oyster reefs in each of the five Gulf of Mexico states. Fact sheets for oyster projects are available in English and Vietnamese.

Four projects, worth $18.6 million, will restore sea turtles through various means, including nesting beach projects and reducing bycatch in fisheries. Fact sheets for sea turtle projects are also available in English and Vietnamese.

One project, worth $7 million, will restore both sea turtles and birds through the removal of marine debris. Fact sheets for bird projects are available in English and Vietnamese.

Three projects, worth $7.2 million, will restore marine mammals by enhancing stranding and salvage networks and collaborating with fisheries to reduce entanglements and injuries. Fact sheets for marine mammal projects are available in English and Vietnamese.

Two projects, worth a combined $31 million, will focus on habitat restoration and nesting colony management to aid in the recovery of bird populations.

A video titled "Restoring the Gulf After Deepwater Horizon" is available, featuring chapters, captions, and various resolution options. The video can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. The video is available in English with options for 1080p, 720p, 540p, 360p, 270p, and Auto resolution.

The draft of the restoration plan was released for public comment in March 2021, and the trustee group held two public meetings to present the plan and accept comments.

For more detailed information, fact sheets for each project are available on the NOAA website in English and Vietnamese.

This comprehensive plan marks a significant step towards restoring the Gulf and Florida coastlines, ensuring a healthier environment for all marine life.

Funding of $99.6 Million Granted for Continued Restoration of Gulf-wide Resources Affected by Deepwater Horizon Disaster