Below are updates to Natural Resource Damage Assessment, RESTORE Act and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund restoration activities in Florida.

Information from 2024 Trustee Council Annual Meeting Webinar Now Available

Outreach materials are now available from the June 26 Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Trustee Council’s annual meeting webinar. This virtual event, the Trustees’ ninth annual public meeting, provided an update on our work since our last meeting in June 2023. It also included a 3-minute highlight video which is available to view on the Trustees’ YouTube channel.  

You can view all the materials presented at the meeting—including the presentations and fact sheets—below.  

The Trustees and representatives of the seven Trustee Implementation Groups, responsible for planning and implementing restoration projects for the natural resources injured by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, gave updates on their progress over the last year.  

The public meeting also included an opportunity for the public to provide comments to the Trustees after the presentation. This meeting also served as the annual public meeting of the Regionwide Trustee Implementation Group.  

Public Meeting Presentation  

Trustee Council Fact Sheets  

Restoration Area Fact Sheets  

Florida Trustee Group Approves 11 Projects in $111.5 Million Restoration Plan 3

The Florida Trustee Implementation Group has approved the Final Restoration Plan 3 and Environmental Assessment: Water Quality (PDF, 258 pages). The plan selects 11 projects for implementation to address the Water Quality Restoration Type at an estimated cost of $111.5 million.

We released the Draft Restoration Plan 3 and Environmental Assessment on March 8, 2024, and accepted public comments through April 8, 2024. A public webinar was held on March 27, 2024. Through the public webinar and comment period, the Florida Trustee Implementation Group received and considered a total of ten public comments, which have been summarized in an Appendix in the plan and included in the Administrative Record.  

Plan Highlights

All 11 projects proposed as preferred alternatives in the draft plan were selected for implementation in the final plan. This group of projects utilize a range of techniques to benefit water quality, including detecting pollution sources to identify future restoration priorities, implementing sediment or erosion control measures at unpaved road stream crossings, retrofitting existing or constructing new stormwater infrastructure, strategic conversion of residential areas from the use of septic tanks to regional utilities, and restoring hydrology in coastal habitats. More information about these selected projects, listed below, can be found in the final plan.  

  • Pensacola and Perdido Watersheds Microbial Source Tracking (Planning)
  • Pensacola Bay Unpaved Roads Initiative Phase 2 (Planning)
  • Carpenter Creek Hydrologic Restoration and Stormwater Improvements
  • Hollice T. Williams Stormwater Park
  • Gulf Breeze Septic to Sewer Conversion
  • Santa Rosa County Septic to Sewer Conversion
  • Choctawhatchee Bay Unpaved Roads Initiative
  • Telogia Creek Watershed Water Quality Improvements
  • Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge Hydrologic Restoration Phase 2 (Planning)
  • Bond Farm Hydrologic Enhancement Impoundment
  • Bond Farm Hydrologic Enhancement Southwest Discharge Structure (Planning)

The Final Restoration Plan 3 and Environmental Assessment is consistent with the Trustees’ Programmatic Restoration Plan and evaluates projects for restoring natural resources and services injured or lost in Florida as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. On June 28, 2024, the Florida Trustee Implementation Group approved a Finding of No Significant Impact associated with the projects in the Final Restoration Plan 3 and Environmental Assessment.  

More Information

Final Restoration Plan 3 and Environmental Assessment (PDF, 258 pages) 

Join the Deepwater Horizon Trustees for their Annual Public Meeting Webinar June 26

The Deepwater Horizon Trustee Council will hold its ninth annual public meeting via webinar on June 26, 2024 from noon to 1 p.m. Central time. The webinar is open to everyone, and we encourage your attendance and participation (see registration information below).  

During this meeting, we will present updates on the progress made by the Trustee Council and by each of the seven Restoration Area Trustee Implementation Groups. This meeting will also serve as the annual public meeting for the Regionwide Trustee Implementation Group. We will provide an opportunity for public comments after the presentations.    

  • Date: June 26, 2024        
  • Time: noon – 1:00 p.m. CT / 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. ET

Registration: Please register for the webinar.  

The registration page includes questions that ask whether you would like to sign up to give a verbal comment during the public meeting. If you sign up, you will receive a follow up email with additional instructions. If you are not sure if you would like to make a public comment, you will have the opportunity to do so during the webinar.  

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information on how to join. We recommend performing a GoToWebinar system check, and reviewing the attendee guide before joining the webinar. You will have options to join the webinar via a web browser, or you can download the GoToWebinar app if you haven’t already.  

Please contact us at webinars@dwhtig.org by June 7, 2024, if you need assistance with language, hearing, or visual capabilities.  

If you are unable to attend the public meeting, we will update the Gulf Spill Restoration website with the presentation and transcript, and send a follow-up email with this information when it is available. Last year’s annual public meeting information was made available shortly after the June 2023 meeting.  

Please visit Gulf Spill Restoration to read this story in Vietnamese.

Public Invited to Perdido Bay Boat Ramp Ribbon Cutting June 18

District 1 Commissioner Jeff Bergosh and Escambia County staff invite the public to join them for the Perdido Bay Boat Ramp ribbon cutting.

  • WHAT: Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for The Perdido Bay Boat Ramp
  • WHERE: 10808 Lillian Highway
                 Pensacola, FL 32506
  • WHEN: Tuesday, June 18, at 11 a.m. CT/12 p.m. EDT

The boat ramp is Escambia County's first large public access to Perdido Bay. The new 40-acre facility is located on Heron Bayou and includes a two-lane boat ramp, 62 parking spaces for vehicles with trailers, 22 parking spaces for vehicles without trailers, and a stormwater treatment facility. In addition, a new channel measuring at 2,260 feet long by 40 feet wide and a depth of 5 feet has been dredged from the launching facility to Perdido Bay. Additional passive recreational opportunities include a landing area along the Perdido paddling trail with two campsites and 11 acres of wetlands placed into conservation.

“I am excited for all the citizens on Escambia’s west side to have such a fantastic community amenity," Commissioner Bergosh said. "We have all worked very hard for a long time to bring this project to fruition, and I can’t wait to cut the ribbon on this and open it up next week for the boaters of our county."

In 2013, the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners funded the acquisition of the Perdido Boat Ramp property for $1.24 million through Local Option Sales Tax III. Project design was paid through a grant from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Vessel Registration Fees. Construction was funded through U.S. Treasury RESTORE Direct Component funds, American Rescue Plan Act funds and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Natural Resource Damage Assessment Coastal Protection Fund. Hewes and Company, LLC constructed the new facility.

For more information about the boat ramp, please contact Escambia County Natural Resources Management at 850-595-4988.

Ribbon-cutting For The City Of Carrabelle Septic To Sewer

Join us for a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the completion of Phases I and II of the Lighthouse Estates Septic to Sewer project located at the Carrabelle lighthouse.

WHAT: Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for The City Of Carrabelle Septic To Sewer

WHERE: Carrabelle Lighthouse
1975 Hwy 98 W, Carrabelle, FL 32322

WHEN: Thursday, May 23, 2024 - 10:00am EDT

Contact Name: 
Sydney Bunch

Contact Email: 
Sydney.Bunch@nwfwater.com

Contact Phone: 
850-272-3001

Save the Date, June 26: Trustee Council Annual Public Meeting Webinar

Save the date—the Deepwater Horizon Trustee Council will hold its ninth annual public meeting at noon Central Time on Wednesday,  June 26, 2024 via webinar. More information about how to register will be posted and sent to email subscribers in the near future.    

During this meeting, we’ll share recent photos, videos, and updates on the progress made by the Trustee Council and by each of the seven Restoration Area Trustee Implementation Groups. This meeting will also serve as the annual public meeting for the Regionwide Trustee Implementation Group. Immediately following the webinar presentations, we will hold a verbal public comment period.

If you are unable to attend the public meeting webinar, we will update the Gulf Spill Restoration website with the presentation and transcript, and will send a follow-up email informing you when the presentation and transcript are available.  

Last year’s annual public meeting information is available in the June 2023 story.  

Florida Trustees Seek Public Comment on Draft Restoration Plan 3

The Florida Trustee Implementation Group has released its Draft Restoration Plan 3 and Environmental Assessment: Water Quality (PDF, 244 pages) for public comment through April 8, 2024. We will conduct a public webinar on March 27, 2024 (see details below).

Draft Restoration Plan 3 and Environmental Assessment

In November 2022, the Florida Trustee Implementation Group invited public input to identify water quality restoration opportunities. After screening project ideas, the Trustees narrowed the list to 13 water quality projects comprising the reasonable range of alternatives for evaluation in this draft restoration plan. In August 2023, the Florida Trustee Implementation Group notified the public that it began drafting its third restoration plan. The Florida Trustee Implementation Group is proposing 11 preferred alternatives for implementation, at a total estimated cost of approximately $111.5 million. If ultimately selected in the final restoration plan, after considering public comment, these projects would be funded through the Water Quality Restoration Type.

The draft plan and proposed projects are consistent with the Trustees’ Programmatic Restoration Plan and propose a variety of water quality restoration techniques. The preferred alternatives would improve water quality through:

  • Evaluating existing data and collecting additional data to identify sources of bacterial pollution to help prioritize restoration strategies;
  • Erosion and sediment control practices at unpaved road stream crossings;
  • Traditional stormwater control measures, such as retrofitting existing stormwater management systems and constructing a stormwater park;
  • Septic tank decommissioning and connecting homes to existing central sewer systems; and
  • Restoring hydrologic connections to enhance coastal habitats.

Public Comment and Webinar

The public is encouraged to review and comment on the draft plan through April 8, 2024 by submitting comments online, by mail, or during the public webinar. After the public comment period concludes, the Trustees will review, consider, and address comments prior to the release of the Final Restoration Plan 3 and Environmental Assessment. The draft plan can be accessed at the link below, and comments can be provided through one of the following mechanisms:  

We will hold a public webinar on March 27, 2024 at 3:00 pm Eastern Time / 2:00 pm Central Time. We will present a summary of the draft plan and take comments during the webinar.

You may request a flash drive containing the Draft RP3/EA by contacting one of the below individuals:

Plan Document

Draft Restoration Plan 3 and Environmental Assessment (PDF, 244 pages) 

Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for Parker City Pier

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in coordination with Parker City is announcing a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the Parker City Pier on Feb.10, 2024, at 11 a.m. CST. 

WHAT:     Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for Parker City Pier

WHERE:  Parker City Pier, Earl Gilbert Park
                 6603 Oakshore Dr.  
                 Parker, FL, 32404

WHEN:    Feb. 10, 2024
                11 a.m. CST

As part of the Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) early restoration program, the city of Parker submitted for and was selected to receive funding to construct a fishing pier for the public. This project was managed by the DEP's Deepwater Horizon Program for the design, permitting and construction of the pier. Construction of the pier commenced in March 2022 and was completed in January 2024.

"The City of Parker is very pleased that the State of Florida in partnership with DEP were instrumental in bringing the Parker City Pier project to fruition. A fishing pier for the citizens of Parker, the service members of Tyndall Airforce Base and others, has been a vision of the city for the better part of 20 years beginning with the former Mayor of Parker Brenda Hendricks," said Mayor Andrew Kelly. "The City is grateful for the focus and outcome that adds to the recovery of the area. Parker now joins so many other recovered areas so catastrophically damaged by Hurricane Michael and the Deepwater Horizon Spill with this spectacular addition to the gateway of the city."

The City of Parker received approximately $3.2 million in funding for construction of the new pier located in Earl Gilbert Park. The pier is approximately 563 ft long with beautiful views of East Bay. This pier will provide visitors with opportunities for recreational fishing, wildlife viewing and sunset watching.

We could not be more proud of the dedication and hard work of all the partners including engineers, scientists, construction laborers and DEP’s Deepwater Horizon Program members that have joined together to create the Parker City Pier,” said Deputy Secretary for Ecosystems Restoration, Adam Blalock. “Residents and guests now have the opportunity to recreate and enjoy the East Bay waters.”

This project will enhance and increase public use and enjoyment of natural resources that were severely impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill that occurred on April 20, 2010.

 

Florida Trustees Holding Public Meeting Webinar December 7

The Florida Trustee Implementation Group will hold its annual public meeting via webinar on December 7, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. ET. During the meeting we will present an update on Florida Restoration Area plans, projects, and activities. After the presentation, we will provide an opportunity for attendees to give verbal public comments. The webinar is open to everyone and we encourage your attendance and participation. 

  • Date: December 7, 2023
  • Time: 1:00 p.m. ET 

Registration: Please register for the webinar at:  

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2740276980799759960

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information on how to join the webinar. We recommend doing a GoToWebinar system check, and reviewing the attendee guide before joining the webinar. 

The registration page also includes a question asking whether you would like to give a verbal public comment during the meeting. If you answer yes, you will receive a follow up email with additional instructions. If you are not sure when you register, you will have another opportunity during the webinar to sign up to speak. 

Please contact webinars@dwhtig.org, if you need special assistance due to a hearing or visual impairment. 

If you are unable to attend the public meeting, we will update the Florida Restoration Area page with materials from the webinar and we will send a follow-up email with this information when it is available. 

Florida Living Shoreline Project Wins Prestigious Award

The American Shore and Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA) has named the Florida Trustee Implementation Group funded Cat Point Living Shoreline project one of five recipients for this year’s Best Restored Shores Award. ASBPA is a large, 100-year old organization dedicated to preserving, protecting, and enhancing coasts by merging science and public policy.  

The Cat Point Living Shoreline project, located in the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve, was approved during the Early Restoration Phase of the Trustees’ massive and ongoing effort to repair the injury to natural resources and their services in the Florida Restoration area caused by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. This project, one of the more than 70 projects thus far approved by the Florida Restoration Area Trustees, is based on the concept of using nature-based solutions to protect a disappearing shoreline and transform it into a thriving and functional salt marsh habitat.   

Sixteen breakwater structures make up the 1,300-foot “backbone” of the project located off the shores of Eastpoint, Florida in Apalachicola Bay. The breakwaters now protect the shoreline against wave action, flooding, and storm surge and provide a protected area for oyster restoration. Behind the breakwaters, 20,634 native marsh grasses were planted to enhance and create salt marsh, which acts as a natural filter to help improve coastal water quality. The marsh also provides habitat for juvenile fish; invertebrates including crabs, shrimp, and oysters; small mammals and reptiles; and wading birds including herons and egrets.  

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection, as the implementing trustee, worked with an extensive group of public and private partners on this restoration project, including the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Duke Energy, and the Conservation Corps of the Forgotten and Emerald Coasts, who assisted with planting and educational outreach.  

Monitoring of projects is an important part of restoration. The Trustees, specifically Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Central Panhandle Aquatic Preserves (CPAP) staff, have monitored the project since construction and planting were completed and will continue monitoring until 2025.  

The ASBPA established the Best Restored Shores Award to acknowledge and encourage more effective coastal risk management, including restoring natural infrastructure and addressing erosion, flooding, and related hazards. The 2023 Best Restored Shores were recognized at the Association’s National Coastal Conference in Providence, Rhode Island in October.   

DEP Announces Draft List of Projects for Funding Under RESTORE Funded Priorities List 3b

The draft list of projects recommend for funding under RESTORE Funded Priorities List (FPL) 3b Florida programs is now available on Florida’s Deepwater Horizon RESTORE FPL 3b website.

The state of Florida received approximately $30 million in approved (Category 1) funds plus an additional $39 million (Category 2) that has been identified for funding future projects. These awards will fund Florida-based Gulf of Mexico restoration projects that meet the goals of the FPL 3b Florida programs. Project ideas were solicited between June 9 and July 11, 2022, and project proponents submitted proposals via the Florida Deepwater Horizon’s web portal.

Project proposals were screened using selection criteria, and 12 projects were selected for the following RESTORE FPL3b Florida programs: Gulf Coast Resiliency Program (4); Gulf Coast Tributaries Hydrologic Restoration Program (3); and Water Quality Improvement Program (5).

DEP has posted a draft list of the selected projects, associated funding amounts, and brief project descriptions for public review and comment.

The public comment period is open through December 16, 2022. You may submit comments using the following options.

The final project list and associated project workplans will be submitted to the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (RESTORE Council) for approval.

Submit Project Ideas for Florida’s Third Restoration Plan

The Florida Trustee Implementation Group invites you to submit project ideas for restoration in Florida. 

For our upcoming third post-settlement restoration plan, we would like your project ideas regarding restoration of water quality.  

Addressing water quality can use a range of approaches to enhance ecosystem services and recreational use along the Florida Gulf coast by reducing pollutants, nutrients, and pathogens discharged to coastal watersheds and improving hydrology. These restoration approaches might include: reducing pollution and hydrologic degradation; reducing nutrient loads; creating, restoring, and enhancing coastal wetlands; and protecting and conserving marine, coastal, estuarine, and riparian habitats. (For additional information, see the Trustee Council Programmatic Restoration Plan Sections 5.5.5, 5.D.1.1, 5.D.1.7, 5.D.2)  

We will use a portion of the settlement funds from the Florida TIG’s Water Quality Restoration Type allocation for these types of restoration projects.  

Please submit your project ideas to: Trustee Council's Portal or the Deepwater Horizon Florida portal. We will accept project ideas submitted or updated to the portals between November 7 and December 22, 2022. If you previously submitted a project idea, you will need to update it for consideration under this solicitation. 

If you have questions or need assistance please contact deepwaterhorizon@dep.state.fl.us.  

Florida Trustee Implementation Group Approves Plan to Enhance Public Access to Coastal Habitats at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge

The Florida Trustee Implementation Group has approved the Phase V.4 Florida Coastal Access Project Plan for the acquisition of the Dickerson Bay parcel. This 114-acre coastal parcel will become part of the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will conduct minor restoration activities and implement recreational improvements. The public will have access to hiking and wildlife viewing around unique shrub-scrub and longleaf pine uplands. The estimated cost of the project is $685,000.  

We released a draft plan for public comment on April 18, 2022. To help the public become familiar with our proposal and take public comment, we held a webinar on May 10 and a public meeting on May 12.   

The Florida Coastal Access Project enhances public access to surrounding natural resources and increases recreational opportunities through the acquisition and/or enhancement of coastal land in the Florida Panhandle helping to restore impacts to recreational use due to the spill.  

The first phase of the Florida Coastal Access Project, described in the Phase V Early Restoration Plan, and the second phase, described in the Phase V.2 Restoration Plan, included acquisition and/or enhancement of recreational amenities at five coastal parcels in the Florida Panhandle. The Phase V.3 Restoration Plan included acquisition of a sixth coastal parcel. As of December 2021, the Florida Trustee Implementation Group has 38 different recreational use projects completed or underway. 

The materials prepared for the public meeting and more information about the work of the Florida Trustee Implementation Group can be found at the Florida Restoration Area web page. 

Read the Plan 

Final Phase V.4 Florida Coastal Access Project: Restoration Plan and Supplemental Environmental Assessment (PDF, 66 pages) 

Final Phase V.4 Florida Coastal Access Project, Dickerson Bay Addition Factsheet (PDF, 1 page)  

 

 

 

Last Modified: Monday, Jul 22, 2024 - 09:44am