NOAA’s U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS®) Program Office is proposing to allocate federal funds to the Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) through a sub-contract with the Southeast Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association (SECOORA). FIT will install an oceanographic high frequency radar (HFR) at Hightower Beach Park. Hightower Beach Park is a municipal park operated by the City of Satellite Beach located within the state of Florida.
NOAA NEPA Document Database (beta)
This beta version of the NOAA NEPA Document Database catalogs environmental assessments (EAs) and environmental impact statements (EISs) that NOAA is currently developing. The Database also includes some of the EAs or EISs NOAA has completed in the past, although information may be limited and contain errors. The Database does not track proposed actions that rely on categorical exclusions. The Database also does not capture information on proposed actions for which another Federal agency is the lead agency for NEPA or when NOAA adopts another Federal agency’s EA or EIS. Please send any questions or corrections to noaa.nepa@noaa.gov with the Subject line: “NOAA NEPA Document Database comment.“
Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment for the Lower Duwamish River Natural Resource Damage Assessment: General Recycling of Washington Habitat Project, Seattle, King County, Washington
The Trustees' proposed action is Alternative B: Accept General Recycling Habitat Project. Alternative B involves the Trustees accepting the “General Recycling Habitat Project” in settlement from General Recycling to compensate for injuries caused by activities at the General Recycling property on the LDR. The General Recycling Habitat Project is anticipated to create approximately 2.33 acres of new, on- and off-channel marsh, intertidal, riparian, and vegetated slope habitat and protect an additional 0.56 acres of subtidal habitat on and adjacent to the LDR.
ID #
Document Type
NOAA Office
Document Status
Last Updated
This DEIS is prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to assess the environmental impacts associated with NMFS issuing an incidental take statement (ITS) under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) that would exempt take of threatened or endangered ESA-listed species by participants in Southeast Alaska (SEAK) salmon fisheries that are subject to the 2019 Pacific Salmon Treaty (PST) Agreement. This DEIS also assesses the environmental impacts of NMFS funding grants to the State of Alaska (State) to monitor and manage the SEAK salmon fisheries and salmon stocks subject to the 2019 PST Agreement. If warranted, NMFS would issue an ITS, consistent with requirements of the ESA, as part of a consultation on two agency actions related to the 2019 PST Agreement, including the funding to the State. That consultation would conclude with the issuance of a biological opinion (BiOp) that evaluates the effects of those agency actions on ESA-listed species and critical habitat. This DEIS directly responds to a court order and analyzes the effects of the proposed issuance of an ITS for those two agency actions.
ID #
Document Type
NOAA Office
Document Status
Last Updated
Final Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment for Bayou d'Inde Hazardouse Waste Site, Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana
The Trustees are proposing an 800-acre terrace field project within Sabine NWR, along with shore based recreational fishing projects, to compensate the public for historical releases of hazardous wastes (PCBs, dioxins, lead, mercury, and other contaminantsinto) to Bayou d'Inde, a major tributary to the Calcasieu River in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana.
ID #
Document Type
NOAA Office
Document Status
Last Updated
Framework 12 set management measures and specifications for the skate fishery for the 2024–2025 fishing years. This action decreases the annual catch limit to 32,155 mt (from 37,236 mt in 2023) and the overall total allowable landings to 15,178 mt (from 21,142 mt in 2023). Specifications for fishing year 2025 are projected to be the same as the proposed 2024 limits. The specifications result in a 26-percent decrease in both the bait and wing fisheries’ total allowable landings. The reduced quotas remain higher than landings in the bait and wing fisheries for at least the last three years; therefore, we do not expect the new quotas to be restrictive to the fishery or to result in reductions in revenue. This action also increases possession limits for the wing fishery, removes barndoor skate-specific possession restrictions for the wing fishery, and removes smooth skate-specific possession restrictions for both the bait and wing fisheries.
ID #
Document Type
NOAA Office
Document Status
Last Updated
The purpose of this EA is to analyze the activities described in the ESA section 10(a)(1)(A) enhancement permit application submitted by U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and associated Hatchery Genetics Management Plan. The actions of the EA must ensure that the proposed SJRRP activities; (1) work to reintroduce CV spring-run Chinook salmon into the Restoration Area, (2) comply with the Restoration Goal of the Settlement, to restore fish downstream of Friant Dam to ‘good conditions’, and (3) are ESA compliant. According to the Final Recovery Plan for Central Valley Salmon and Steelhead (NMFS 2014), the population of CV spring-run Chinook salmon in the SJRRP Restoration Area is considered a top priority for reintroduction. The proposed action is a necessary regulatory component of this reintroduction effort.
ID #
Document Type
NOAA Office
Document Status
Last Updated
Issuance of Incidental Harassment Authorization for West Harrison Bay Seismic Surveys and Ice Road and Ice Trail Construction in the Artic.
On July XX, 2024, NMFS received the initial application from Narwhal requesting authorizations for take of small numbers of marine mammals incidental to construction activities related to seismic surveys and ice roads and ice trails construction in West Harrison Bay, Alaska. NMFS provided questions and comments to Narwhal after receiving the initial application regarding several aspects of the project. Narwhal submitted a modified request on July XX, 2024, which NMFS deemed adequate and complete on August XX, 2024. Narwhal is proposing to conduct high-resolution 3D seismic surveys at the four potential drilling sites and construct ice roads and trails to connect and allow access between the proposed drilling sites. These ice roads and trails will be constructed during ice-covered season to facilitate the transportation of drilling equipment to the potential drilling sites. Additional explanations about the applicant’s activities is explained in Chapter 2 and is also described in the notice of the proposed rule under “Summary of Requests” and “Description of Specified Activities”.
ID #
Document Type
NOAA Office
Document Status
Last Updated
NOAA is publishing this Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed development of a commercial-scale finfish aquaculture facility to be located in Federal waters off the coast of southern California.
ID #
Document Type
NOAA Office
Document Status
Last Updated
Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group Restoration Plan 1 and Environmental Assessment: Birds and Sturgeon
The OO TIG completed the Final Restoration Plan 1 and Environmental Assessment: Birds and Sturgeon which selects three projects at a total estimated cost of $16 million. These projects are intended to partially compensate the public for injuries caused by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill to birds and sturgeon, consistent with the Trustees’ Programmatic Restoration Plan. Two projects include restoration activities for injured migratory bird species that winter in the Gulf of Mexico, but nest in northern latitudes. The Trustees have determined that these bird species may be most effectively restored by enhancing breeding success in areas where these birds nest.
Document Type
NOAA Office
Document Status
Last Updated
Texas Trustee Implementation Group, Final 2017 Texas Restoration Plan/Environmental Assessment: Restoration of Wetlands, Coastal, and Nearshore Habitats; and Oysters
The TX TIG prepared this restoration plan to include 13 preferred projects. We focused on the Oyster and Wetlands, Coastal and Nearshore Habitats restoration type. The proposed projects include: One oyster restoration engineering project in the Galveston Bay area; Three habitat engineering projects in the Galveston Bay area; Five habitat construction projects in the Galveston Bay, Sabine Lake, and Corpus Christi Bay areas; Four habitat acquisition projects in the Galveston Bay, Matagorda Bay, and Lower Laguna Madre areas; The total estimated cost for the 13 proposed projects is $45,761,000.
Document Type
NOAA Office
Document Status
Last Updated
Mississippi Trustee Implementation Group Restoration Plan 4 and Environmental Assessment: Restoration of Wetlands, Coastal, and Nearshore Habitats; Nutrient Reduction (Nonpoint Source); and Provide and Enhance Recreational Opportunities
The MS TIG released its fourth restoration plan. This plan includes projects to partially restore injuries to wetlands, coastal, and nearshore habitats; reduce nutrient pollution (nonpoint source); and provide and enhance recreational opportunities to compensate for lost recreational use in the Mississippi Restoration Area as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Document Type
NOAA Office
Document Status
Last Updated
Mississippi Trustee Implementation Group 2019 Final Supplemental Restoration Plan: Grand Bay Land Acquisition and Habitat Management
The supplement, Mississippi Trustee Implementation Group 2019 Draft Supplemental Restoration Plan: Grand Bay Land Acquisition and Habitat Management (PDF, 13 pg), proposes to provide additional Wetlands, Coastal, and Nearshore Habitat restoration type funding to the Grand Bay Land Acquisition and Habitat Management Project approved in Restoration Plan I. The total proposed $10 million in activities in the Draft Supplemental Plan would support additional land acquisition, habitat management, and performance monitoring within the project’s action area. The Draft Supplemental Plan includes details about the proposed project and the environmental analysis, and is consistent with the Trustees’ Programmatic Restoration Plan.
Document Type
NOAA Office
Document Status
Last Updated
Mississippi Trustee Implementation Group 2016-2017 Restoration Plan/Environmental Assessment
The Mississippi Trustee Implementation Group Draft 2016-2017 Restoration Plan/Environmental Assessment (EA) (PDF, 308 pages) evaluates alternatives and proposes three projects: Wetlands, Coastal, Nearshore Habitat/Birds restoration type - Graveline Bay Land Acquisition and Management and Grand Bay Land Acquisition and Habitat Management; Nutrient Reduction (Nonpoint Source) restoration type - Upper Pascagoula River Water Quality Enhancement. The total estimated cost for the proposed restoration projects is $21.5 million. Details on the proposed projects and the environmental analysis are contained in the draft restoration plan and EA. The plan is consistent with the Trustees’ programmatic restoration plan.
Document Type
NOAA Office
Document Status
Last Updated
Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group Final Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment #4: Nutrient Reduction (Nonpoint Source) and Recreational Use
The Deepwater Horizon spill oiled shorelines and resulted in the closure of waterways, parks, and other coastal areas in Louisiana resulting in decreased access to recreational fishing and camping, as well as other outdoor activities which diminished the public’s recreational opportunities and use of natural coastal resources. To help restore those losses, the Final Restoration Plan #4 has approximately $38 million in projects which emphasize the creation and enhancement of recreational opportunities, including: Fishing, beach-going, camping, and boating; Public access to natural resources for recreational use; Infrastructure for improved of recreational experiences; Educational and outreach components to help encouraging use and stewardship of natural resources.
Document Type
NOAA Office
Document Status
Last Updated
The Final Strategic Restoration Plan is consistent with the Trustee Council’s Programmatic Restoration Plan, and considers a comprehensive suite of restoration techniques and approaches to address ecosystem-level injuries in the Barataria Basin and the Gulf of Mexico caused by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. We included large-scale sediment diversion, marsh creation, and ridge restoration techniques and approaches in the plan to help prioritize future decisions regarding projects and funding. We also selected three projects to move forward for further evaluation and planning: The Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion project; The Large-Scale Marsh Creation: Component E project in northern Barataria Basin; The Spanish Pass Increment of the Barataria Basin Ridge and Marsh Creation project, confirming our 2017 decision to move it forward.
Document Type
NOAA Office
Document Status
Last Updated
The Final Recreational Use Plan #2 re-allocates funds originally dedicated to the Louisiana Marine Fisheries Enhancement, Research, and Science Center Early Restoration project, which is not moving forward because of feasibility issues arising in the planning process. Those funds are being proposed for reallocation to fund other restoration projects in the Final Recreational Use Plan #2. Included are $22 million in selected projects emphasizing the creation and enhancement of recreational fishing infrastructure, providing more opportunities and access to recreational fishing, and educational and outreach promoting use and stewardship of natural resources.
Document Type
NOAA Office
Document Status
Last Updated
Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group Phase 2 Restoration Plan/Environmental Assessment #1.1: Queen Bess Island Restoration
The Queen Bess Island Draft Restoration Plan evaluated two design alternatives for restoration of bird habitat, plus a no action alternative. The preferred alternative would create 30 acres of brown pelican habitat and 7 acres of tern and skimmer habitat. The Trustees presented the draft at a public meeting held on January 3, 2019, and collected public comments through January 22, 2019. After consideration of the comments received, the Trustees selected the preferred alternative and completed the final plan. The total estimated cost of the project is $18.71 million. This includes an estimated $2 million in engineering and design and $16.71 million for construction, maintenance, monitoring, adaptive management, and any future engineering and design costs required.
Document Type
NOAA Office
Document Status
Last Updated
Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group Final Restoration Plan #1: Restoration of Wetlands, Coastal, and Nearshore Habitats; Habitat Projects on Federally Managed Lands; and Birds
The plan is consistent with the Trustees’ programmatic restoration plan. This restoration plan covers engineering and design activities for six projects, which will restore: wetlands, coastal and nearshore habitats in Barataria, Terrebonne, and Pontchartrain basins; habitat projects on federally managed lands in Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve; and birds.The total estimated cost for the engineering and design activities for these projects is $22.3 million. Once the engineering and design phase is complete, we will consider these projects for construction.
Document Type
NOAA Office
Document Status
Last Updated
Florida Trustee Implementation Group Final Restoration Plan 1 and Environmental Assessment: Habitat Projects on Federally Managed Lands; Nutrient Reduction; Water Quality; and Provide and Enhance Recreational Opportunities
The FL TIG Restoration Plan I evaluates 32 project alternatives, plus the no action alternative for each restoration type, and proposes 24 projects for funding. The restoration activities proposed in this draft plan includes projects that address the following restoration types: Habitat projects on federally managed lands; Nutrient reduction; Water quality; Provide and enhance recreational opportunities. These projects will help restore and benefit wetlands, coastal, and nearshore habitats on federally managed lands; improve water quality and hydrology by reducing sources of pollution and restoring more natural flows to increase the overall health and productivity of these ecosystems; and enhance the public’s access to the surrounding natural resources and increase recreational opportunities. The alternatives proposed for funding in the draft plan have a total estimated cost of $62 million.
Document Type
NOAA Office
Document Status
Last Updated
Florida Trustee Implementation Group Phase V.3 Florida Coastal Access Project: Final Restoration Plan and Supplemental Environmental Assessment
This restoration plan proposes the third phase of the Florida Coastal Access Project. The Phase V.3 Restoration Plan and Supplemental Environmental Assessment proposes one additional recreational use project: the acquisition of a coastal parcel of land, the Navarre Beach Marine Park Addition. The privately-owned parcel is within the existing Navarre Beach Marine Park property and acquisition would enhance the public’s access to the surrounding natural resources and increase recreational opportunities.