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Gulf of Mexico Alliance Wins Two Gulf Guardian Awards
The Gulf of Mexico Alliance (Alliance) received two Gulf Guardian Awards at a ceremony hosted by the EPA Gulf of Mexico Division in Gulfport, MS. The Programs that were recognized are the regional Gulf Star public-private partnership, and GulfTREE, an interactive decision-support tree to help users find climate tools.
Read more.
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Gulf of Mexico Alliance Featured in Coastal Mississippi Magazine
Have you ever wondered just who exactly works in the Gulf of Mexico Alliance Headquarters Office in Ocean Springs, Mississippi? Meet the ladies of the Alliance headquarters in this month's edition of South Mississippi Living magazine: Reflections of the Gulf Coast. You can also contact them on the staff webpage.
Read the edition.
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Terrapin Conservation Aims to Prevent and Reverse Population Declines
The Gulf of Mexico Alliance Wildlife and Fisheries Team recently started a new stakeholder-driven conservation plan for diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin), a turtle species of concern in the Gulf of Mexico. This conservation plan will create a central source for terrapin information in the Gulf, based on the best available science and expert input. It will also include recommendations to prevent and reverse declines in terrapin populations and their habitats. These recommendations can then be used to inform conservation and restoration efforts across the Gulf region. Equinor and Anadarko support this Gulf Star project led by The Nature Conservancy.
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GOMA Teams Immersed in Coastal Tourism
The Gulf of Mexico Alliance recently wrapped up a two-year capacity building grant from the NAS Gulf Research Program. The goal was is to increase the involvement of business and industry in the Gulf of Mexico Alliance, providing a benefit for all members due to the exchange and sharing of science-based knowledge, applicable tools, and experience. As part of the program, the Alliance held a three-day immersive tour into the inner workings of the coastal tourism industry.
Watch the video.
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Momentum Building for Embrace the Gulf 2020
The year 2020 is just three short months away. The City of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, is the first city to pass a proclamation to Embrace the Gulf. We've had several partners make their campaign participation official. Gulf Corps is a new partner that co-branded their recent activities.
Need help Embracing the Gulf for 2020? We can connect you with with a coordinator for your state to help you. Big things are happening, and we hope all our partners will find a way to be involved. Click the button below, bring your excitement, and "Make It Official!"
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Seeking Student Designs for Paddle the Gulf Logo Contest
Partners around the Gulf of Mexico are gearing up to Embrace the Gulf next year, in 2020. Paddle the Gulf will connect blueways across the five U.S. Gulf states. It is a wonderful way to celebrate what the Gulf of Mexico has to offer by kayaking and canoeing these paddle trails. Organizers of the project need a new logo. They are accepting designs from student designers. Awards will go to top ranked logos. The deadline to submit is October 18, 2019.
Get the contest information.
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Consortium to Operate New NSF Research Vessel
The National Science Foundation (NSF) recently selected the Gulf - Caribbean Oceanographic Consortium, cooperatively led by The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) and the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON), to operate the third new oceanographic research ship. The purpose is to carry out regional scale research in the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean. This announcement brings the first new regional class research ship in the U.S. Academic Research Fleet to the Gulf of Mexico in nearly four decades.
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Restoration
Activities related to Deepwater Horizon oil spill research and restoration are updated monthly.
Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (Council)
On August 30th, the RESTORE Council announced the finalized Planning Framework. This document serves as a "bridge" between the group's overarching goals and objectives identified in their 2016 comprehensive plan update. Those interested in working within these guidelines will get an indication of the types of programs and projects that may be considered. Complete information on RESTORE Council activity is available on
RestoreTheGulf.gov
.
U.S. Department of Treasury (Treasury) - All RESTORE Act Direct Component activities administered by the Department of Treasury are listed on the official website.
In the States
Florida -
On September 18th, the Gulf Consortium awarded the first SEP implementation project to Pasco County for an artificial reef project. A Florida Deepwater Horizon Restoration Summit is planned for November 14, 2019. It will highlight ongoing, planned, and potential restoration efforts. The
Gulf Consortium
and
Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) maintain websites
of related restoration information.
Mississippi -
Visit the Office of Restoration web page for announcements, procurement opportunities, project updates, and more.
Louisiana - On September 13th, Governor Edwards announced three barrier island projects funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation in Terrebonne Parish. The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) manages restoration activities for the state in conjunction with the State's Master Plan.
All restoration information is available on the
CPRA website.
Texas -
For information on Texas activities, go to
www.restorethetexascoast.org
.
NOAA RESTORE Science Program -
On September 10th, the program released its first program report, Science to Action. Spanning 2013 to 2018, it provides an overview of projects supported, and science and application accomplishments. Current information on this project and other funded programs are available through the RESTORE Science Program website.
National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Gulf Research Program -
Find program information on their website.
Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) -
The Deepwater Horizon Trustees approved new monitoring guidance on August 30, 2019. It is an update of the Monitoring and Adaptive Manual released in January 2018. The update covers restoration projects for oysters, submerged aquatic vegetation, and other habitat. The Trustee Implementation Group (TIG) announcements this month are:
- On August 29, the Alabama TIG released the "Draft Restoration Plan III and Environmental Assessment: Provide and Enhance Recreational Opportunities and Birds". Public comments are due by October 1, 2019.
- The Florida TIG approved the third phase of its Coastal Access Project that selects the Navarre Beach Marine Park Addition recreational use project.
- The Mississippi TIG will hold its Annual Meeting on November 12 th in conjunction with the Mississippi Restoration Summit. Updates on restoration activities will be provided.
- The Mississippi TIG finalized the supplemental plan for Grand Bay land acquisition and habitat management.
- The Region-wide TIG is seeking restoration project ideas that benefit living and marine resources. Four areas to consider are birds, marine mammals, oysters, and sea turtles. The deadline is October 25, 2019.
National Fish & Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) -
For information on NFWF supported projects, go to their website.
North American Conservation Wetlands Act fund (NAWCA) - Information for this program is available on the
NAWCA website.
Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI) - The
2020 GoMOSES Conference is scheduled for February 3-6, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. Organizers are accepting workshop proposals on a first come first serve basis. Registration is now open. Comprehensive GoMRI information is on
gulfresearchinitiative.org.
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Funding
The Gulf of Mexico Alliance maintains a
Funding Opportunities web page of programs. Below are selected opportunities from that page.
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Resilience Planning Grants - The purpose of the RPG is to promote community resilience planning, vulnerability assessments, address adaptation plans, and comprehensive plan goals, objectives, policies, regional coordination, along with environmental justice. The deadline is October 7, 2019.
North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA)
U.S. Small Grants - The deadline is October 17, 2019.
Alabama Power
Foundation Grants - Applications must address at least one of the APR five initiatives: Educational Advancement, Civic and Community Development, Arts and Cultural Enrichment, Health and Human Services and Environmental Stewardship. The next deadline is October 18, 2019.
Mississippi Recycling Coalition Grants - The Mississippi Recycling Coalition (MRC) is offering up to $10,000 in grants to schools to support new or expanding recycling programs. Both $500 and $1,000 grants are available to public and private K-12 schools in Mississippi. The deadline is November 15, 2019.
EPA Gulf of Mexico
Program Reduction and Prevention of Trash in the Five Coastal States (Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida) of the Gulf of Mexico Watershed - Applications should address the improvement of water quality, habitat, community resilience and environmental education through working with various partners. The deadline is November 22, 2019.
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Events
Our
events page lists workshops, conferences, symposia, trainings, webinars, and other notable activities. Please
email us with things to post and share.
Selected events:
- CWPPRA 2019 Coastal Celebration
October 9, 2019, Lafitte, LA
- GOMA Marine Debris Initiative Mid-Year Meeting
October 8-10, 2019, Corpus Christi, TX
- Texas Plastic Pollution Symposium
October 29, 2019, Galveston, TX
- CERF 2019 Biennial Conference
November 3-7, 2019, Mobile, AL
- Mississippi Restoration Summit
November 12, 2019, Biloxi, MS
- Florida Deepwater Horizon Restoration Summit
November 14, 2019, Fort Walton Beach, FL
- Wednesday Webinar Restored Habitat Recovery and Use
November 20, 2019
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Comment Periods
Click here to request a comment period to be shared in our next newsletter.
The Alabama NRDA TIG is accepting comments on the Draft Restoration Plan III and Environmental Assessment: Provide and Enhance Recreational Opportunities; and Birds. The deadline is October 3, 2019.
For all federal rules, comments, adjudications or supporting documents visit regulations.gov.
The NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office maintains a bulletin of public notices and news releases related to topics of importance on many Gulf of Mexico issues.
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council has a website that includes fish regulations, amendments, and meeting announcements. See their
Public Hearings for updates on sea turtle release protocol, venting tools, state management of recreational Red snapper, and other pertinent fishery management issues.
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