DWH NRDA DOI Projects

After the 2016 global settlement with BP, the NRDA Trustees established area-based Trustee Implementation Groups (TIGs) that are responsible for restoration planning, implementation, project evaluation and monitoring, and adaptive management. Seven of the TIGs are responsible for restoration project planning and implementation in seven restoration areas: Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Region-wide and Open Ocean. The eighth TIG is responsible for future restoration from unknown conditions, if any arise, and adaptive management. Department staff serve on each of the TIGs and recommend projects that will restore natural resources and enhance recreational opportunities.

As of August 2019 TIGs have approved 30 DOI restoration projects, listed below by TIG:

FLORIDA TIG

Florida TIG DOI Projects:

• Beach and Dune Habitat Protection at Gulf Islands National Seashore
• Enhanced Management of Avian Breeding Habitat Injured by Response Activities in FL, AL & MS
• Gulf Islands National Seashore (Florida) Night Sky Restoration (Planning and Design)
• Invasive Plant Removal at Gulf Islands National Seashore
• Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge Hydrologic Restoration - Planning and Design
• Rattlesnake Bluff Road and Riverbank Restoration
• Rehabilitation of Okaloosa Unit Recreational Facilities at Gulf Islands National Seashore
• Seagrass Recovery Project at Gulf Islands National Seashore, Florida District
• St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge Predator Control

ALABAMA and MISSISSIPPI TIGs

Alabama TIG DOI Projects:

• Alabama Dune Restoration Cooperation Project
• Coastal Alabama Sea Turtle (CAST) Habitat Usage and Population Dynamics
• Little Lagoon Living Shoreline
• Restoring the Night Sky—Assessment, Training, and Outreach (E&D)

Mississippi TIG DOI Projects:

• Grand Bay Land Acquisition and Habitat Management
• Graveline Bay Land Acquisition and Management

LOUISIANA and TEXAS TIGs

Louisiana TIG DOI Projects:

• North Breton Island Restoration (Louisiana Outer Coast Restoration)
• Shoreline Protection at Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve (E&D)

Texas TIG DOI Projects:

• Bahia Grande Coastal Corridor Habitat Acquisition
• Laguna Atascosa Habitat Acquisition
• McFaddin Beach and Dune Restoration
• Mid-Coast Habitat Acquisition
• Sea Turtle Early Restoration Project
• Texas Rookery Islands

OPEN OCEAN and REGION-WIDE TIGs

Open Ocean TIG DOI Projects:

• Beach Enhancement Project at Gulf Islands National Seashore
• Bike & Pedestrian Use Enhancements Project, Gulf Islands National Seashore
• Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge Trail Enhancement Project
• Characterizing Gulf Sturgeon Spawning Habitat... in the Pearl and Pascagoula Rivers
• Gulf Islands National Seashore Ferry Project
• Informing Gulf Sturgeon Population Status and Trends as a Baseline to Evaluate Restoration
• Restoration of Black Terns in North and South Dakota
• Restoration of Common Loons in Minnesota

Region-wide TIG DOI Projects:

• Enhanced Management of Avian Breeding Habitat Injured by Response in FL, AL & MS
• Improving Habitat Injured by Spill Response: Restoring the Night Sky