E-Newsletter from the Gulf of Mexico Alliance
January 30, 2015
In This Issue
GOMA WEB RESOURCES

Check it out!  GOMA's website now contains useful regional resources: 


Events calendar lists upcoming conferences, symposia, and meetings. 

Employment Opportunities lists job postings from regional partners.

Gulf Observations & Monitoring information is now available.   

Nominations Extended January 30, 2015
Contact Jeanne Allen or Lael Butler with any last minute questions.
Coastal Training Workshops

Low Impact Design Workshop Series
 - Constructed Stormwater Wetland
   Design February 25, 2015
 - Permeable Pavement Design
   February 26, 2015

Planning & Facilitating Collaborative Meetings - March 18-19, 2015

For more information go to http://www.gulfalliancetraining.org/
PRIORITY ISSUE TEAM CONFERENCE CALLS:
 
Resilience Team Meeting Feb 4-6
Education & Engagement rescheduled to February 10 
  
To contact Team Coordinators, see  Quick Links below.
Mapping Regional Restoration: 
DWH Project Tracker
GOMA's Restoration Project Map is being enhanced to the future DWH Project Tracker. It will allow users to view restoration projects as well as research activities in progress across the Gulf.  Click here to see the site!
project screenshot_ngi
Currently, the site contains projects from GOMA, GoMRI, NFWF, and NRDA. The DWH Project Tracker will be inclusive to all settlement funding programs.  
Quick Links
Alliance Management Team

Priority Issue Team Reorganization

GOMA Headquarters Staff
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.
New Year New Gulf of Mexico Alliance

Last month we introduced you to the Gulf of Mexico Alliance's reorganization. Starting off the new year (yes, it is still new), we are initiating several activities that we hope will engage new partners, acquaint everyone to the Alliance and its changes, and set the right path to build a strong Action Plan III for the region.

 

February 4-5: The Community Resilience team will kick off planning with an annual Winter Meeting. Members will get updates on current and ongoing projects. There will be a strategic planning session to discuss focus areas for the new action plan. New members are welcome.


A Regional Collaborative Blueprint is anticipated for release. It sets high level goals for the Alliance and creates a foundation from which the reorganized teams will build.

 

 


March 18:  A "Get to Know GOMA" webinar is being planned for anyone new (or old) that would like to know more about how the Alliance operates. Stay tuned for participation information.

June 16-18: The annual 2015 All Hands Meeting will devote a large portion of the agenda to the development of Action Plan III.

There will many other opportunities to participate. To stay up to date, join the new and reassembled teams by contacting the coordinators:
2015 Metadata Training with NCDDC
It's all about the data. NOAA's National Coastal Data Development Center (NCDDC's) next series of metadata online training classes are now available for registration.
Course descriptions and registration links can be found on their web site. The 2015 training dates are:   

  • Metadata for Managers, January 13 - February 17, 2015, Tuesdays, 9AM CST
  • Metadata Training for Gulf Restoration Partners, April 15 - May 20, 2015, Wednesdays, 1PM CST
  • Introduction to Geospatial Metadata, June 4 - July 16, 2015, Thursdays, 9AM CST

    If anyone has questions, please contact the NCDDC.

    •  
    Open Comment Periods
    Alabama Gulf Coast Recovery Council's (AGCRC) Center of Excellence Research Grants Program Draft Solicitation for Proposals and Competitive Process for Selection - Comments are due February 2, 2015.

    Southeast Region Electronic Monitoring and Reporting Implementation Plan - Public comment is due February 9, 2015. 

    RESTORE Council Draft NEPA Procedures - Public comment is due February 17, 2015. 

     

    NOAA Fisheries Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Changes to Royal Red Shrimp Regulation - Comment period ends February 25, 2015.

      

    NOAA Fisheries Seeks Comments on Proposed Modifications to Red Grouper Recreational Management in the Gulf of Mexico - The deadline is February 26, 2015. 

     

    NOAA Seeks Comments on a Proposed Rule to Establish Two Recreational Sub-Quotas for Gulf of Mexico Red Snapper - The comment period ends March 9, 2015.  

     

    EPA Seeks Comments on Amendments to the National Contingency Plan - The deadline is April 22, 2015.
    Funding Opportunities

    EPA     Environmental Education Model Grants Program This program supports model, replicable projects that increase public awareness and knowledge about environmental issues and provide the skills that participants in its funded projects need to make informed environmental decisions and take responsible actions toward the environment. The deadline is February 2, 2015.  
     

    The 2015 Five Star/Urban Waters RFP is now live at: http://www.nfwf.org/fivestar/Pages/2015RFP.aspx#.VKGkl_9B9 

    The program seeks proposals that restore local habitats with an emphasis on community involvement.  Please direct anyone interested to that web page. Proposals are due February 3, 2015. 

    Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority/Water Institute of the Gulf Applied Research and Coastal Innovation Programs - The CPRA Applied Research Program will provide Louisiana-based researchers with funds to conduct engineering and science research and tool development activities that will enable CPRA to more effectively protect and restore coastal resources.  The deadline is February 6, 2015. 

    Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries' Environmental Education Commission (LEEC) 2015-2016 Grants Program is now accepting applications. Awards are targeted to educators, formal and non-formal professional development, and research. Deadline is March 16, 2015. 

    NOAA Restore Act Science Program Federal Funding Opportunity FFO-2015 This first opportunity will address three topical areas: ecosystem and living marine resources management, including fisheries;  climate change and extreme weather impacts on sustainability of restoration; and integration of social, behavioral, and economic science into restoration and management of the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem. Letters of intent are due by January 30, 2015 and the deadline for submitting full proposals is March 17, 2015.  

     

    National Academies - Gulf Research Program

    Exploratory Grants Award Year 2015 Award topics for 2015 will involved: exploring approaches for effective education and training of workers in the offshore oil and gas industry and health professions; and linking ecosystem services related to and influenced by oil and gas production to human health and well being. Letters of intent deadline has been extended to February 25. Full proposals deadlines remain due on March 30, 2015 at 8pm ET. A letter of intent is required for this funding opportunity.

     

    Gulf Sea Grant Funding Opportunities - Biennial Call for Statements of Interest
    Louisiana Sea Grant Request for Proposals is open. Statements of Interest are due February 6, 2015.

    Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium Request for Proposals is open. The deadline for pre-proposals is February 20, 2015.

    Texas Sea Grant opportunity is open and the deadline is February 28, 2015. 

     

    Keep Louisiana Beautiful Healthy Communities Grants - The grant program is designed to encourage community action in the specific areas of litter abatement, waste reduction, education and environmental stewardship, training, litter enforcement, and recycling. The deadline is April 10, 2015.   

     

    Lawrence Foundation Grants for Environmental, Education, and Human Services Projects - The Lawrence Foundation awards grants in support of the environment, education, human services, disaster relief, and other causes. The June grant cycle deadline is April 30, 2015.  
    REGIONAL INITIATIVES  
    Gulf Restoration Updates
    RESTORE Council:  The Gulf Restoration Council published its draft National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Procedures for 30-day public review on January 16.  Comments are due by February 17, 2015.  See the Council's website for more information. 

    Alabama:      The Alabama Gulf Coast Recovery Council has two items open for public comment. Go to their website for more information regarding:
    • Draft Project Selection Process Framework for First Round MIP Development for 30-day public comment
    • Center of Excellence Draft Solicitation for Proposals and Draft Competitive Process for Selection for 45-day public comment - The deadline is February 2, 2015.
    For complete information on Alabama Coastal Restoration see http://www.alabamacoastalrestoration.org/. 
     
    Mississippi: The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality is holding a series of Resource Summits to focus on specific resources identified by the public during Community Conservations last fall. For more information go here.
    • Tuesday, February 24th Ocean Springs
    • Thursday, February 26th Bay St. Louis
    • Saturday, February 28th Handsboro Community Center

    For information on restoration activities in Mississippi go to the Making Mississippi Whole website. 

     

    Florida: Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) maintains a website complete with resources, links, and newsletters, including an overview of Florida's response to the oil spill. Each impacted county will engage directly with their communities through the Gulf Consortium and the Florida Association of Counties. There are four meetings planned through 2015. See the schedule on the Gulf Consortium web page.  

     
    Louisiana: The State of Louisiana is represented by the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) on state and RESTORE Council restoration activities. CPRA will be holding two public meetings on the FY2016 Draft Annual Plan. For these and other meetings planned through the year see the CPRA calendar.
     
    Texas: RESTORE the Texas Coast is the official web location for oil spill related restoration in Texas. Two consortia were selected on January 16, 2015 as Centers of Excellence.
     
    Centers of Excellence:
    The Alabama Gulf Coast Recovery Council has open a Center of Excellence Draft Solicitation for Proposals and Draft Competitive Process for Selection, as noted above.

    The Florida Institute of Oceanography (FIO) is responsible for Florida's Center of Excellence. FIO anticipates an initial funding opportunity to be announced in February. 

    Texas announced two consortia will be Centers of Excellence:  one consortia will be led by the University of Houston and one will be led by Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.  See all partners and get the full details in the TCEQ announcement.   

    NOAA RESTORE Act Science Program:  A funding opportunity is currently open and described above. Read more about the program and FFO. 

     
    National Academy of Sciences' Gulf Research Program (NAS): 
    NAS opened Exploratory Grants noted above. To follow the NAS Gulf Research Program, get the FFO, and register for updates, go to their website. The Fellowship Program is currently taking applications through the extended deadline February 27.

    Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA):  The NRDA Trustees have released, "Assess Plan Restore," a guide to projects and planning contained in the Final Phase III Early Restoration Plan and Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement. Get a copy of the plan. Learn more about NRDA through NOAA  here or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service here. 

    National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund: NFWF's Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund recently announced its 2014 list of restoration projects worth nearly $390 million across the Gulf. Read more about these projects in this comprehensive list.  

     
    North American Conservation Wetlands Act Fund (NAWCA):  

    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.   

     

    On November 13, 2014 the Migratory Bird Commission approved $24.6 for grants. U.S., Canadian, and Mexican Standard Grants are open. A U.S. Small Grants program is also open. Read more about how to apply. 
    Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative Update
    The 2015 Oil Spill and Ecosystem Science Conference is coming up!  
    February 16-19 
    Houston, Texas

    Registration and conference information can be found     here.

    Gulf of Mexico Alliance | 1151 Robinson Street | Ocean Springs, MS 39564
    Contact me: Lee.Yokel@gomxa.org. 

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