e-Newsletter October 2016
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MS Gulf Coast National Heritage Area New Plan and Website
The Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area (MGCNHA) recently released a new look and a new plan. Governor Bryant, Senator Wicker, and Secretary of State Hosemann helped Department of Marine Resources Director, Jamie Miller, commemorate the event. A Nature-Based Tourism Management Plan and updated website are elevating Mississippi's coastal visibility. The new Plan is found on the updated website msgulfcoastheritage.ms.gov. The fresh look and navigation make it easy to find some of coastal Mississippi's most beloved museums, scenic areas, and festivals just to name a few. Read more. |
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"Leave No Trash Behind" on Galveston Island
On Tuesday, November 15, 2016, Artist Boat will host a Ribbon Cutting celebrating the first of six recycling stations to be installed on Galveston Island, Texas beaches. They will be joining thousands of other communities holding recycling events across the country to celebrate America Recycles Day, a national initiative of Keep America Beautiful. Read more. |
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NOAA Marine Debris Anniversary
In 2006, Congress authorized NOAA to address a growing global problem by signing the Marine Debris Act into law. The NOAA Marine Debris Program is the U.S. Federal government's lead for addressing marine debris. Their mission is to investigate and prevent the adverse impacts of marine debris. The program is in its tenth year addressing this pervasive issue through research, coordination, emergency response, and removal of debris. Read more. |
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Migratory Species
In 1916, the United States and Great Britain (on behalf of Canada) adopted a uniform system of protection for nearly all migratory bird species that inhabit -- and often migrate between -- the United States and Canada. This month, in a timely release, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) unveiled a new study on migratory species in the Gulf of Mexico. Understanding the migratory pathways of fish, sea turtles, marine mammals, and birds are critical not only to species survival but also to the overall health of the Gulf of Mexico Large Marine Ecosystem. Read more.
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 Restoration Updates related to Deepwater Horizon oil spill research, restoration, and similar activities are updated monthly. Link to Restoration Page
RESTORE Council - In October, the Council concluded a public comment period on their Draft Comprehensive Plan Update. Public meeting summaries are now available. Read RESTORE Council Chair USDA Agricultural Secretary Tom Vilsack's October 20th blog post on a healthy Gulf. Information on this and other Council activity is on their website RestoreTheGulf.gov.
In the States
Florida - The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) maintains a comprehensive website. The Florida Gulf coastal counties Consortium is preparing Florida's State Expenditure Plan for the Spill Impact Component of the RESTORE Act ("Pot 3"). The Consortium voted to allocate the funds evenly for projects in each of the 23 Gulf coastal counties. Each impacted county engages directly with their communities through the Gulf Consortium
and the Florida Association of Counties. Their website is being updated; be sure to scroll down on their webpage for complete information.
Alabama - Follow restoration activities with the Alabama Gulf Coast Recovery Council (AGCRC) on their website. Mississippi - The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) has several upcoming actions to include a Beach Outfalls Challenge, Turkey Creek Public Meeting, and Restoration Summit. These, a fall quarterly newsletter, and other restoration activities are available on Making Mississippi Whole. Louisiana - The State of Louisiana is represented by the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) on state and RESTORE Council activities. On September 30th, the RESTORE Council awarded a $7.3 million grant to CPRA for engineering and design of the West Grand Terre Beach Nourishment and Stabilization project. View information on this project and more on the CPRA website. Texas - The Request for Grant Applications (RFGA) for the RESTORE Direct Component (Bucket 1) grant funds are still being reviewed. Check www.restorethetexascoast.org regularly for the anticipated release of selected projects.
NOAA RESTORE Act Science Program - Information related to this program is on their dedicated website. The second funding opportunity closed in September and awards are anticipated for early 2017.
National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Gulf Research Program - The 2016 Gulf Research Program Fellows were just announced. Meet them and find additional information about the Gulf Research Program here. A Gulf Research Program Webinar of accomplishments and a funding overview will be conducted November 17th.
Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) - NRDA Trustees held their first public meeting since the BP settlement on September 28th in New Orleans, LA. Information from the well-attended meeting is now available. The Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group (TIG) released the first Draft Restoration Plan. In Alabama, the $5 million Swift Tract Living Shoreline project is underway. These stories and comprehensive Gulf NRDA information is available on www.gulfspillrestoration.noaa.gov.
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund The NFWF website has information on all funded projects with a map of all their programs worldwide.
North American Conservation Wetlands Act fund (NAWCA) - The NAWCA maintains a website for all their programs. The 2016 U.S. Small Grants are due November 3, 2016.
Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI) - Registration is open for the Oil Spill Ecosystem Science Conference scheduled February 6-9, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. RFP-VI is open and letters of intent are due November 14, 2016. Get comprehensive information on GoMRI at gulfresearchinitiative.org.
Visit our Deepwater Horizon Project Tracker Story Map.
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Funding The Gulf of Mexico Alliance maintains a Funding Opportunities web page of current opportunities. Below are selected opportunities from that page. Link to Funding Opportunities page
Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative GoMRI RFP-VI - The 2018-2019 RFP will focus on the five GoMRI Research Themes as well as a call for scientific synthesis. Proposals may address multiple themes. Letters of Intent are due November 14, 2016 and full proposals are due March 3, 2017. Gulf of Mexico Alliance Coastal Community Small Grants - Proposals are now being accepted from coastal communities who wish to proactively address their vulnerabilities to coastal hazards identified during a community self-assessment. The deadline is December 9, 2016.
NOAA Marine Debris Program FY2017 Marine Debris Research Federal Funding Opportunity - The MDP offers funding for original, hypothesis-driven research projects focused on the persistence and chemical impacts of marine debris. The deadline is December 19, 2016.
Corporation for National & Community Service AmeriCorps State and National Grants 2017 - National service to receiving organizations will include areas of support in disaster services, economic opportunity, education, environmental stewardship, healthy futures, veterans and military service. Organizations are strongly encouraged to submit a Notification of Intent to apply by December 7, 2016. The deadline for applications is January 18, 2017.
Florida Humanities Council Community Project Grants - Community Project grants provide support for the planning and implementation of public humanities programs and resources that meet the needs and interests of local communities. Projects may include lecture series and panel discussions, reading and discussion groups, film series, oral history projects, exhibitions, and the development of cultural resources that complement public programming. The deadline is January 23, 2017. NOAA RESTORE Act Science Program Funding Calendar
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Comment Periods
The Environmental Law Institute (ELI) is evaluating public participation and engagement in the National Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) process. They have developed a quick, six question survey.
Texas Parks and Wildlife proposed regulations on Individual Fishing Quota Rules, Oyster Harvest Rules, and Oyster License Fees public comment closes at 9:00 am on November 3, 2016. The Consortium for Ocean Science Exploration and Engagement (COSEE) Council is conducting a seven question survey. Results will help inform COSEE priorities for the next two years. The deadline is November 4, 2016. The Louisiana RESTORE Act Center of Excellence is soliciting feedback on a draft Research Strategy. Emailed written comments are due November 7, 2016.
NMFS proposes to implement management measures described in a framework action to the Fishery Management Plan Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic: Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Yellowtail Snapper Management Measures. The comment deadline is November 16, 2016. The NRDA Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group (TIG) released the first Draft Implementation Plan for Louisiana. Comments are due November 21, 2016.
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced the availability of a Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for Gulf of Mexico Geological and Geophysical Surveys. Public meetings are planned for November and the comment period closes November 29, 2016.
Search the EPA Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Database. Tips for submitting effective comments. |
Events Scroll through our events calendar for these and other upcoming activities. Visit our Events page November 15 - Mississippi Inaugural Restoration Summit November 30 - December 1st Mississippi-Alabama Bays & Bayous Symposium November 9, 10, 14, 15, 17 Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Public Meetings December 10 - 15 Restore America's Estuaries 8th Annual Summit February 6 - 9, 2017 Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill & Ecosystem Science Conference March 26 - 28, 2017 State of the Gulf of Mexico One Gulf Summit March 29 - 31, 2017 Gulf of Mexico Alliance All Hands Meeting
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