Thank you to our Sponsors of the 2014 GOMA PIT Meetings!
Shell * EPA GMP * HRI * GCOOS
TNC * OC * NOAA * GMF GoMURC * Gulf Sea Grant Programs Jan Spoerri * CSA
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5th Annual NOAA/NGI Hypoxia Research Coordination Workshop July 14 - 16, 2014 Stennis Space Center, MS Contact David KidwellGulf Hypoxia Monitoring Website
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PRIORITY ISSUE TEAM CONFERENCE CALLS:
Coastal Resilience June 24th 10am CDT
Water Quality Work Groups
Mercury June 13 9am CDT HABs June 18 2pm CDT Pathogen June 19 2pm CDT Monitoring June 27 2pm CDT
To contact Team Coordinators, see Quick Links below. |
| MAPPING RESTORATION PROJECTS |
GOMA has been working hard on a map that will allow users to view restoration projects as well as research activities in progress across the Gulf. Click here to see the site!
Currently, the site contains projects from GOMA, GoMRI, NFWF, and early NRDA, with more to be added in the future. Coming soon are projects from states, Sea Grant, and National Academy of Sciences.
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Come See Us!
We love visitors! With our new
sign out front, you can't miss us. Stop by 1151 Robinson Street in Ocean Springs, Mississippi and we'll show you around.
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10 Years of Building Partnerships for a Healthier Gulf -
An Editorial by Laura Bowie, Executive Director
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As I look back on the past several years, I see that the Gulf of Mexico Alliance is about connections. While we are all linked physically by the Gulf itself, what is unique about the people in the Alliance is that we believe that collaboration brings exponential benefits. We have found the formula for building relationships, building trust and building inclusive networks of people interested in doing good things for the Gulf.
I was reminded of how much each and every one of you have contributed to the Alliance as I looked around at the nearly 300 people at the 10-Year Celebration reception last week in Mobile. It was a great celebration of how far we have come. We presented Founders Awards to several people who were there when it all began in 2004-2005, and celebrated over 45 people for having been active with the Alliance for over five years. We also recognized many Priority Issue Team members for their long-standing dedication to their teams. Without the many Alliance supporters, the network of partnerships that is the Gulf of Mexico Alliance would not be where it is today.
The collaborative spirit is very much alive within our community, and it is in this spirit that the Alliance embarks on its next 10 years!
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Gulf of Mexico Alliance Gathering Input for A Regional Blueprint
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It seems just yesterday that the Governors' Action Plan II was approved. Now, five years later, Priority Issue Teams are assessing the status of objectives from that Plan and looking forward. During the May PIT Meetings, each team began to focus on evaluation priorities and identifying objectives to continue for the region.
Over the next six months, teams will establish short-terms actions to accomplish while a new Regional Collaborative Blueprint is developed. To help contribute to these short and longer visioned goals, engage your team.
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U.S. Department of Agriculture Releases New Restoration Document
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) just released a new report, "Gulf of Mexico Restoration - A Private Lands Vision for Success."  Private agricultural and forest lands account for 86% of some 290 million acres in the five U.S. Gulf States. The NRCS is already poised to work with farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners to improve the health of the Gulf's ecosystems. The document reviews successes and discusses incentive-based voluntary approaches to conservation. Download your copy.
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Gulf Coast Land Conservation Project Assistance Fund Announces 1st Found of Funding
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The PGCLC announced that the approval of $57,450 in matching funds for land protection projects in Manatee County, FL; Baldwin County, AL; Hancock County, MS; and Orleans Parish, LA. The funds will be used to prepare projects that will protect more than 1,800 acres of sensitive coastal land. 
PGCLC member organizations are encouraged to apply for matching funds through the Project Assistance Fund to prepare high quality land acquisition projects for potential funding through Gulf restoration funds such as NFWF, NRDA, RESTORE Act and NAWCA. Members may apply at any time. After June 1, organizations that received matching funds in the 1st round may apply for funding for another project.
The Fund is being administered by the Galveston Bay Foundation through a generous grant from the Knobloch Family Foundation. For more information, contact Matthew Singer or 281-332-3381 ext. 206.
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The Eastern Tallgrass Prairie and Big Rivers Landscape Conservation Cooperative (LCC) a has a funding opportunity to benefit landscape-level natural resource conservation and management in the Midwest. This group has a keen interest in hypoxia and ecosystem services related issues. Applications are due June 13. For more information go here.
The USGS National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center (NCCWSC) and DOI Climate Science Centers (CSCs) are seeking Statements of Interest (SOIs) and proposals for funding in Fiscal Year (FY) 2015.Research projects are sought that support providing natural and cultural resource managers with science, tools, and information to develop and execute management strategies that address impacts of climate change on a broad range of natural and cultural resources. Deadline is June 17. For more information go here.
USEPA has a special studies funding opportunity - South Florida Geographic Initiative, Water Quality Protection Program for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, and the Southeast Florida Coral Reeflnitiative/Land-Based Sources of Pollution. Deadline is June 27. For more information go here.
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REGIONAL INITIATIVES
Gulf Restoration Updates
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 RESTORE Council: Stay up to date with the RESTORE Council news and read the Initial Comprehensive Plan here.
Alabama: The AL Coastal Restoration online project suggestion portal is now available. To receive instructions for submitting a project suggestion, please go here and click on "Submit Project Suggestions." It is important to note the AL Gulf Coast Recovery Council and the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council have not yet made formal calls for project suggestions. The ADCNR will provide an update once either of these Councils make an announcement regarding a request for project suggestions. The online portal allows for the entry of suggestions for future consideration.
Mississippi: Trudy Fisher, Executive Director of MDEQ, announced she is leaving the agency later this year. Ms. Fisher has led MDEQ for the last eight years and has been instrumental in the Gulf of Mexico Alliance's regional success. For more information about Ms. Fisher and MDEQ's restoration planning go to http://www.restore.ms/.
Florida: FDEP has improved the navigation for users to the FL Deepwater Horizon restoration website. Responding to public's request for more information on projects being submitted, the improvements allow users to view and download the full project submittals.In addition, the Department has created an interactive map of Deepwater Horizon restoration projects that have been submitted. Public notices, outreach and education activities are available on the FDEP calendar. Check out Florida updates here.
Louisiana: With an understanding that the use of restoration funds will be guided by specific criteria, Louisiana is committed to maximizing its investment in oil spill recovery activities by implementing restoration projects that are consistent with the Louisiana Coastal Master Plan to the extent possible. In addition to submitting project ideas during the public meetings, restoration projects may also be submitted electronically to coastal@la.gov. Stay up to date on Louisiana's Coastal Master Plan restoration efforts by visiting CPRA's site. Information on Louisiana's NRDA restoration can be found here.
Texas: TCEQ held its first RESTORE Advisory Board meeting in October 2013. The Texas restoration web site is under construction ( www.restorethetexascoast.org) and will provide comprehensive information soon.
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NOAA RESTORE Act Science Program: The NOAA RESTORE Act Science Program Framework and recent updates can be found here.
National Academy of Sciences' Gulf Research Program
The Gulf Research Program's Advisory Group will host a meeting on June 11-12, 2014 in Tampa, Florida. The purpose is to talk with stakeholders and get their views on possible opportunities for the Program. To follow the NAS Gulf Research Program and register for updates, go to their website.
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund: In early 2013, a U.S. District Court approved two plea agreements resolving the criminal cases against BP and Transocean which arose from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The agreements direct a total of $2.544 billion to NFWF to fund projects benefiting the natural resources of the Gulf Coast that were impacted by the spill. Read more about NFWF projects here.
North American Conservation Wetlands Act Fund:
As part of the criminal plea agreement involving the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, this Fund will receive $100,000,000. The purpose is for wetlands restoration and conservation benefiting migratory bird species and other wildlife affected by the oil spill. Click here to learn more. The US Fish and Wildlife Service has a "Vision for a Healthy Gulf of Mexico Watershed" and it can be found here.
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Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative Update
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The Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI) is now receiving submissions for Scientific Sessions to the 2015 Gulf of Mexico Oil spill and Ecosystem Science Conference. Sessions should be designed to share the latest research findings and to allow dialog on research implications, applications, and synthesis. This year's conference will seek to answer the questions "What have we learned, what does it mean and how can it be used?" A strong emphasis will be placed on the impact of the research and application of published research findings. The conference is scheduled for February 16-19, 2015 at the Westin Galleria Hotel in Houston, TX. Get more information.
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