Building Partnerships for a Healthier Gulf
Gulf of Mexico Alliance
 
e-Newsletter August 2017  
Jump to our regular sections on Restoration , Funding , Comment Periods , and Events .
GOMA Meets with White House Council on Environmental Quality
Left to right:  Jim Pahl (LA), Paul Mickle (MS), Laura Bowie (GOMA), Brian Lezina (LA), Toby Baker (TX), Phillip Hinesley (AL), Stephen Tatum (TX)

On August 1st, members of GOMA's Alliance Management Team met with the White House Council on Environmental Quality to discuss the future of the National Ocean Policy and regional ocean partnerships.  The new administration has a strong interest in job creation and economic development related to the environment. 

Per the discussions, the White House CEQ considers GOMA an effective model for regional coordination among a wide variety of stakeholders. Since the Gulf is poised for a multi-billion dollar restoration industry, GOMA is looking to the White House CEQ to provide leadership on issues such as state-led priorities for coastal areas, right-sized restoration permitting, and access to federal datasets.  GOMA looks forward to continuing to engage with the White House CEQ on these and other relevant issues.   
Gulf Star Deadline Extended to September 15th

Due to the overwhelming crisis from Hurricane Harvey, the Gulf of Mexico Alliance has extended the Gulf Star Program request for proposals (RFP) deadline to September 15th. 

A number of questions regarding the RFP are addressed in a FAQ (frequently asked questions) document. Complete information is available on the Gulf Star webpage. 

In concert with this, the Photo Contest will also be extended to the 15th.  

Access the Gulf Star webpage
Texas Sea Grant Creates Post-Hurricane Harvey Resource

The Texas Sea Grant created an online webpage for post-disaster recovery resources. The posted websites, publications and videos were developed by other Sea Grant programs and state and regional agencies.The page will slowly be populated as new information is made available and vetted. 

restorationRestoration

Activities related to Deepwater Horizon oil spill research and restoration are updated monthly.


Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (RESTORE Council)On August 30, 2017, The RESTORE Council issued a notice to seek 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 NOAA. 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. Public comment is due by September 29, 2017.  Those interested in RESTORE Council activities and notices are encouraged to sign up for eBlasts
Complete information is available on  RestoreTheGulf.gov

U.S. Department of Treasury - All RESTORE Act Direct Component activities administered by the Department of Treasury are listed on the official website

In the States

Florida - The Gulf Consortium  selected an outside consultant, Balmoral Group, to serve as manager of their activities. The Gulf Consortium website is refreshed and most project updates are found in the agenda items of meetings.  The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) also maintains a website of related information.   

Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., is a nonprofit corporation organized to oversee the expenditure of 75 percent of all funds recovered by the Florida attorney general for economic damages to the state that resulted from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. View their work here

Alabama - On July 28th, the Alabama Gulf Coast Recovery Council (AGCRC) announced it is seeking project suggestions for RESTORE Act Spill Impact Component funding (Bucket 3). Projects must be entered by September 15, 2017. A NRDA Trustee public meeting will be held on September 27th in Mobile, Alabama. Get more information on the AGCRC website.

Mississippi - MDEQ is planning the Mississippi Restoration Summit for November 14, 2017 at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Coliseum and Convention Center.  To read about this and other Mississippi activities visit Making Mississippi Whole

Louisiana - The State of Louisiana is represented by the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) on state and RESTORE Council activities. CPRA has a Master Plan Data Viewer that is a web-based geospatial visualization tool. Data is now available for download. This and other c oastal Louisiana restoration updates are available on the CPRA website.

Texas -  All Deepwater Horizon related Texas restoration activities can be found on www.restorethetexascoast.org.

Centers of Excellence

Florida RESTORE Act Centers of Excellence Program ( FLRACEP)
Alabama Center of Excellence (ACE)
Mississippi Based RESTORE Act Center of Excellence (MBRACE)
RESTORE Act Center of Excellence Louisiana
Texas OneGulf
Texas Subsea Systems Institute

NOAA RESTORE Act Science Program -   The program announced their 2017 competition awards last month. Updates and information on this program are found their dedicated website. 

National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Gulf Research Program - The  NAS recently announced the 2017 Gulf Research Program Early-Career Research Fellowships and Science Policy Fellowships. Meet them. Announcements and activities related to Gulf of Mexico research and restoration can be found on the Gulf Research Program website

Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) -  The Trustees will hold a public meeting on September 12, 2017 in Mobile, Alabama. An update will be provided on their work since the BP settlement. Meeting information and comprehensive Gulf NRDA information is available on www.gulfspillrestoration.noaa.gov
  • The Alabama TIG initiated drafting their Restoration Plan II/Environmental Assessment (plan). For the upcoming plan, they intend to focus on seven restoration types: wetlands, coastal and nearshore habitats, habitat projects on federally managed lands, nutrient reduction (nonpoint source), sea turtles, marine mammals, birds, and oysters. The forthcoming draft plan will include project recommendations and funding strategies. 
     
  • The Louisiana TIG is considering restoration activities related to submerged aquatic vegetation, sea turtles, birds, marine mammals, and oysters. The deadline is September 18th. A public scoping period is open for the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion and comments are accepted through September 5, 2017. 
     
National Fish & Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund 
This month NFWF announced 10 awards totaling $1.9 million from the Gulf Coast Conservation Fund. These projects address ecosystems, priority fish and wildlife populations, and resiliency. The NFWF  website has information on all funded projects with a map of all their programs worldwide.

North American Conservation Wetlands Act fund (NAWCA) - 2017 grant deadlines and other information are available on the NAWCA website. A meta-database is available to search for previous awards.

Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI) - The 2018 Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill & Ecosystem Science Conference will be February 5-8, 2018 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana. Organizers are accepting accepting applications for other workshops to be held in conjunction with the meeting. Space is limited; proposals are being accepted on a "first come, first served" basis. Conference abstract submission may be extended due to complications with Hurricane Harvey. Check the website for details. Early registration will open in August. Get comprehensive information on GoMRI at gulfresearchinitiative.org. 

Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative Information & Data Cooperative (GRIIDC) - Housed at Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi, Texas, GRIIDC was temporarily in read-only mode while addressing Hurricane Harvey. The site should be back to normal operation and available for data access. 

Visit the Deepwater Horizon Project Tracker Story Map.
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fundingFunding

The Gulf of Mexico Alliance maintains a Funding Opportunities web page of current opportunities. Below are selected opportunities from that page.

Link to Funding Opportunities page

National Endowment for the Arts Our Town Grants - The grant program supports creative placemaking projects that help to transform communities into lively, beautiful, and resilient places with the arts at their core. Creative placemaking is when artists, arts organizations, and community development practitioners deliberately integrate arts and culture into community revitalization work - placing arts at the table with land-use, transportation, economic development, education, housing, infrastructure, and public safety strategies. The deadline is September 11, 2017.    
 
DOI FWS Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program Boating Infrastructure Grant Program Tier I - Applications from states will relate to boating infrastructure which means the structures, equipment, accessories, and services that are necessary or desirable for a facility to accommodate eligible vessels. Search grants.gov for F17AS00214. The deadline is September 11, 2017.
 
DOI FWS Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program  Boating Infrastructure Grant Program Tier II - Applications from states will relate to boating infrastructure which means the structures, equipment, accessories, and services that are necessary or desirable for a facility to accommodate eligible vessels. Search grants.gov for F17AS00215. The deadline is September 11, 2017. 

Alabama Gulf Coast Recovery Council AGCRC Project Suggestions - The AGCRC is seeking project suggestions to the RESTORE Act Spill Impact Component funding (Bucket 3). There is no limit to the focus areas for this first round but projects must meet one of ten criteria. Projects must be entered into the portal by September 15, 2017.

Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group (TIG) Restoration Project Ideas -- This TIG is requesting input on restoration opportunities related to submerged aquatic vegetation, sea turtles, birds, marine mammals, and oysters. The deadline is September 18, 2017.

NOAA Marine Debris Program Marine Debris Removal grant -- This opportunity provides funding to support projects that will create long-term, quantifiable ecological habitat improvements for NOAA trust resources through on-the-ground marine debris removal activities, with priority for those targeting derelict fishing gear and other medium- and large-scale debris. The deadline is November 1, 2017. 

NOAA Fisheries Southeast Region Gulf of Mexico Bay-Watershed Education and Training (Gulf B-WET) Program - The B-WET program is an environmental education program that promotes locally relevant, experiential learning in the K-12 environment. Funded projects provide meaningful watershed educational experiences (MWEEs) for students, related professional development for teachers, and help to support regional education and environmental priorities in the Gulf of Mexico. The deadline is November 3, 2017.

Science and Restoration  Funding Calendar
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commentComment Periods

Click here to request a comment period to be shared in our next newsletter.  

The Louisiana TIG has a public scoping period open for the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion and comments are accepted through September 5, 2017. 

The RESTORE 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 NOAA. Public comment is due by September 29, 2017. 

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council has an updated website. Improvements make finding fish regulations, amendments, and meetings much easier. Check their Amendments Under Development for updates on Red Snapper, Greater Amberjack, fishing quota, and other pertinent fishery management issues.
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eventsEvents

Scroll through our events calendar for these and other upcoming activities.

Visit our Events page

September 12: NRDA Public Meeting
September 15: New GOMA Photo Contest deadline
September 16: 30th Annual Alabama Coastal Cleanup
September 16 - 23: National Estuaries Week
September 27: Alabama Gulf Coast Recovery Council Public Meeting
September 27 - 29: Partnership for Gulf Coast Land Conservation Annual Meeting
October 16 - 20: Coastal States Organization 2017 Fall Meeting
November 13 - 15: GOMA Coastal Resilience Team Fall Meeting (updated)

SAVE THE DATE - 2018 All Hands - June 11-15 - St. Petersburg, FL
Gulf of Mexico Alliance | 228-215-1246 | www.gulfofmexicoalliance.org 
For newsletter submissions contact Lee.Yokel@gomxa.org
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