Texas Trustee Implementation Group Releases Second Draft Restoration Plan

RESTORE The Texas Coast

The Texas Trustee Implementation Group (TIG) is seeking public comment on the Draft Restoration Plan/Environmental Assessment #2: Restoration of Wetlands, Coastal, and Nearshore Habitats; Nutrient Reduction; Oysters; Sea Turtles; and Birds. The draft plan, published on February 25, 2022, proposes a new suite of restoration projects to partially compensate for the injury to natural resources caused by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

The Texas TIG reviewed more than 120 proposed restoration projects suggested by the public, state and federal agencies, and other various stakeholders. Of these, the Texas TIG proposes 13 preferred projects in the draft plan, including:

Four Wetlands, Coastal, and Nearshore Habitat projects
Two Nutrient Reduction projects
One Oyster project
Two Sea Turtles projects
Four Bird projects

The total estimated cost for the 13 proposed projects is approximately $39 million.

To view the draft plan and obtain more information on the projects being proposed, including an overview and fact sheets, please visit the Texas Restoration Area page on the NOAA Gulf Spill Restoration website. Hard copies can also be obtained at the following locations:

    Port Arthur Public Library
    4615 9th Ave.
    Port Arthur, TX 77642

    Jack K. Williams Library Texas A&M University at Galveston
    200 Seawolf Parkway Building #3010
    Galveston, TX 77554

    Mary and Jeff Bell Library
    Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi
    6300 Ocean Drive Corpus Christi, TX 78412

Submit Public Comments

The draft plan is available for public review and comment through March 28, 2022. Comments can be submitted online at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/TXRP2 or by mail at the following address:

    U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
    P.O. Box 49567
    Atlanta, Georgia 30345

After the public comment period ends, the Texas Trustee Implementation Group will review, consider, and address public comments before releasing a final plan and environmental assessment.

Public Webinar

The trustees are holding a public webinar on March 9, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. (CST) to present the draft restoration plan and the proposed preferred alternatives. To register and attend the webinar, please visit: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2667653123715836432.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information on how to join on the meeting date. We recommend doing a GoToWebinar system check before attending. If you are unable to attend the webinar, the materials will be posted online after the webinar on the Texas Restoration Area web page.