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USFWS Releases their Vision for the Gulf
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The USFWS recently released their Vision for a Healthy Gulf of Mexico Watershed identifying eight conservation strategies and 16 focal areas. The conservation actions in the Vision document are voluntary and are intended to be implemented with existing programs and partnerships. To download a summary or the full document, visit http://www.fws.gov/gulfrestoration/.
Linda Walker, DOI Senior Restoration Advisory and GOMA AMT member noted, "With input from partners and stakeholders, USFWS is working to develop a follow-up document titled Blueprint for a Healthy Gulf of Mexico Watershed which will offer details and specific recommendations to accomplish high priority conservation objectives."
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PRIORITY ISSUE TEAM SUCCESS
HCRT Team Holds Workshops on Sea Level Rise and Sediment Management in Mexico
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 Under an award from the EPA Gulf of Mexico Program, the Gulf of Mexico Foundation sponsored the International Integration Workshop on Sea-Level Rise in Merida, Yucatan from October 21 - 23, 2013. The International Integration project was conceived to support GOMA's Habitat Conservation and Restoration Team's (HCRT) Expanded Partnerships action item. The project was implemented to develop a collaborative, binational communication network to address important issues affecting coastal habitat and communities in the Gulf of Mexico. Read more
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FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Marine Debris Removal Grant Program
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NOAA recently announced the FY2014 Community-based Marine Debris Removal grant opportunity. A cost-share or match is required with an award ceiling of $250,000. Grant applications are due Nov. 1. Visit here for more information.
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B-WET Outreach & Education Program
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| The Gulf of Mexico 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. Because of delays caused by the government shut down, the FY14 Gulf of Mexico B-WET application deadline has been extended. Applications are now due at 11:59 eastern time on Nov. 8, 2013. The new deadline is reflected in grants.gov and in the revised funding opportunity found here. |
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EPA Gulf Program Request for Initial Proposals
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The EPA Gulf of Mexico Program recently announced a Request for Initial Proposals (RFIP) as a part of a new cooperative agreement solicitation process. Initial proposals are due to EPA through grants.gov by 4:00 pm central on Nov. 12, 2013. EPA will notify finalists to prepare full proposals by December 9, 2013 and full proposals will be due by 4:00 pm central on January 10, 2014. The full announcement can be found at the following links: EPA GMPO or grants.gov.
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PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Outreach Planning Assistance
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 Do you need assistance with outreach planning in a project proposal? There are a multitude of Alliance partners that can help you develop a unique outreach plan customized for your project. To view a comprehensive list of outreach professionals, visit www.gulfbase.org.
Other partners that specialize in outreach include:
GOMA Environmental Education PIT: http://www.gulfofmexicoalliance.org/issues/environmental_edu.php
Gulf of Mexico Sea Grant Programs: http://gulfseagrant.tamu.edu/
Gulf National Estuary Programs: http://www.epa.gov/gmpo/gcnep.html
Gulf Coastal Training Programs: http://gulfcoastaltraining.org/
For more information, contact Lee Yokel, GOMA's Education and Outreach Coordinator, at lyokel@disl.org.
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REGIONAL INITIATIVES
Gulf Restoration |
 Natural Resources Damages Assessment (NRDA): Early NRDA restoration was initiated by the April 2011 $1 billion Framework Agreement with BP. For more information and a list of current and next phase early restoration projects to be proposed, visit NOAA Gulf Spill Restoration.
The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council recently adopted the Initial Comprehensive Plan providing a framework for regional restoration goals and objectives. To learn more and to download a copy, visit www.restorethegulf.gov.
Mississippi: On Oct. 16, MDEQ announced that Mississippi is looking for additional ideas for restoration projects in the state, making use of the Transocean penalty funds. Visit www.restore.ms to learn more and to submit project ideas.
Florida: Projects can be submitted through their website: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon
Louisiana: NRDA project proposals can be submitted through their website: http://losco-dwh.com/. Locations and dates for the upcoming DWH NRDA Early Restoration PEIS Scoping meetings can be found here.
Texas: The Texas RESTORE Act Advisory Board held its first organizational meeting this month with representatives from 11 state agencies in attendance. Read more
The NOAA RESTORE Act Science Program: The NOAA RESTORE Act Science Program Framework is currently being finalized and should be presented soon. Click here for more information.
National Fish and Wildlife Federation's Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund funds projects that remedy harm to natural resources in the five Gulf States. Projects in Louisiana must be for barrier island restoration and river diversion whereas projects in the other four states include those that remedy harm to habitats and species of a type that were impacted by the spill. NFWF is consulting with NOAA, US Fish and Wildlife Service as well as the state agencies for project selection. To learn more about NFWF's Gulf Fund, click here.
The Advisory Group for the National Academy of Sciences' Gulf Program recently embarked on a series of meetings with the Gulf States to learn more about their state's restoration goals and objectives. Meetings in Alabama and Louisiana were held in September and their agendas can be found here. Meetings in Florida are scheduled for Oct. 30-31; meetings in Mississippi are scheduled for Nov. 12-13; and meetings in Texas are scheduled for Nov. 21-22. Agendas for those meetings are posted here a week prior to the meetings.
The North American Wetlands Conservation Fund provides funding for wetlands conservation projects from a variety of sources, including fines and penalties. NAWCF will receive $100 million over the next five years to fund wetlands restoration and conservation projects in the Gulf or that will affect the Gulf. To learn more about NAWCF and how it's restoring the wild inhabitants of the Gulf of Mexico Watershed, visit http://www.fws.gov/gulfrestoration/index.html.
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 The Hypoxia Task Force (HTF) held its Fall 2013 meeting in Minneapolis on September 23 - 25, 2013. Development and implementation of nutrient reduction strategies for all 12 HTF states continues to be a top priority. Three states have completed the development phase and are implementing their strategies. Another three states have released draft strategies for public review and comment Most of the other HTF states expect to complete draft strategies by the end of this calendar year. Read more |
| Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative |
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 SAVE THE DATE: The Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI) is pleased to announce the development of the GoMRI Request for Proposals for 2015-2017 GoMRI Research Consortia.The purpose of the 2015-2017 GoMRI Research Consortia RFP, to be released in mid-November 2013, is to select the research activities for GoMRI Years 5-7 involving Research Consortia. The total funds available for distribution to Research Consortia through the 2015-2017 GoMRI Research Consortia RFP will be approximately $35 million per year. A RFP for individual and small research group investigations will be forthcoming in late 2014. For more information visit their website here.
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Registration opens December 2013 for the 2014 Gulf Summit to be held March 24-27, 2014 at the Omni Hotel-Galleria in Houston, Texas. 
