The draft restoration plan, which is consistent with the Trustees’ programmatic restoration plan, evaluates ten alternatives, seven of which we have identified as preferred. The total estimated cost of the seven preferred projects is $26.6 million. If those projects are approved, we will use Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment funds to implement the projects.
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.“
Issuance of an Incidental Harassment Authorization for the Take of Marine Mammals Incidental to Hilcorp Alaska, LLC Production Drilling Support Activities in Cook Inlet, Alaska
Hilcorp is proposing to conduct rig tugging activities in Cook Inlet, Alaska. These activities are similar to activities that Hilcorp has conducted in the past. NMFS was sued on the initial authorization to Hilcorp for not issuing take associated with tugging, and later issued two IHAs for tugging as a result of the lawsuit.
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Issuing an Incidental Take Permit (File No. 27490) to he University of Massachusetts Dartmouth School for Marine Science and Technology for the incidental take of ESA-listed sea turtles and sturgeon associated with the otherwise lawful fisheries survey activities within and adjacent to the Massachusetts/Rhode Island Wind Energy Area.
NMFS is proposing to issue an incidental take permit (ITP) to the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth School for Marine Science and Technology for the incidental take of ESA-listed sea turtles and sturgeon while conducting fisheries survey activities for the collection of baseline fisheries data prior to the construction of multiple offshore wind developments.
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Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Alabama Trustee Implementation Group Final Supplemental Restoration Plan II and Environmental Assessment: Marine Mammals
In this supplemental evaluation the Alabama TIG proposes to use the remaining funds under the Marine Mammals restoration type allocation to continue the restoration of Marine Mammals in the Alabama Restoration area by extending the implementation of one or more projects previously selected in RP II/EA.
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Draft Environmental Assessment for Amendments to the North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Strike Reduction Rule
NMFS is proposing regulations pursuant to its rulemaking authority under MMPA section 112(a) (16U.S.C. 1382(a)), and ESA section 11(f) (U.S.C. 1540(f)) that would modify the North Atlantic right whale vessel speed rule (50 CFR § 224.105). This Draft Environmental Assessment considers a combination of one or more of the following changes to the existing speed rule: 1) adding most vessels greater than or equal to 35 ft (10.7 m) in length and less than 65 ft (19.8 m) in length to the class of vessels subject to speed regulation, 2) modifying Seasonal Management Area boundaries and timing to create proposed Seasonal Speed Zones (SSZs); and 3) implementing a new mandatory Dynamic Speed Zone (DSZ) program.
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DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE PROPOSED ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT 4(D) REGULATIONS FOR THE THREATENED OCEANIC WHITETIP SHARK (CARCHARHINUS LONGIMANUS)
Under section 4(d) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) shall issue regulations deemed necessary and advisable for the conservation of species listed as threatened. The Secretary may also apply any of the prohibitions in Section 9(a)(1) of the ESA, including prohibiting import, export, take, and interstate commerce. This proposed ESA 4(d) rule would apply protective regulations to the threatened oceanic whitetip shark (Carcharhinus longimanus). This is the accompanying EA to this Proposed Rule.
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The regionwide approach exemplifies collaboration and coordination among the trustees by restoring living coastal and marine resources that migrate and live in wide geographic ranges, and linking projects across regional jurisdictions. The plan proposes $99.6 million for 11 restoration projects across all five states bordering the Gulf of Mexico, and specific locations in Mexico and on the Atlantic coast of Florida.
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the Final Open Ocean Restoration Plan 3 (PDF, 335 pages) selecting seven projects totaling almost $33 million to help restore seabirds injured by the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. These projects are scheduled to begin implementation within the next year. The plan and its projects represent the largest commitment to date of Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment funds for restoring injured seabird species, and includes restoration actions in Canada, the northeastern United States, and the Caribbean.
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Texas Trustee Implementation Group Final Restoration Plan/Environmental Assessment #2: Restoration of Wetlands, Coastal, and Nearshore Habitats; Nutrient Reduction; Oysters; Sea Turtles; and Birds
The draft plan includes approximately $19 million for projects proposed for implementation to partially address the injuries caused by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.More than 120 proposed restoration projects were reviewed, and 13 preferred projects from that list are included in the draft plan. The proposed projects, grouped by restoration type, include: Four Wetlands, Coastal, and Nearshore Habitat projects; Two Nutrient Reduction projects; One Oyster restoration project; Two Sea Turtles projects; and one Birds project.
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Proposed restoration activities include debris removal on federally managed lands, maintaining enhanced stranding network capacity for sea turtles and marine mammals, marine mammal bycatch reduction, bird stewardship, and recreational access and educational opportunities.
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MS TIG Restoration Plan II and Environmental Assessment: Wetlands, Coastal, and Nearshore Habitats and Oysters
The proposed funding for the draft restoration plan and projects is $15 million. Habitat restoration and management activities for the Wetlands, Coastal, and Nearshore Habitats projects would include prescribed fire and invasive species management, hydrologic restoration, and prescribed grazing. Proposed projects for Oysters include cultch deployment and the implementation of an oyster gardening program.
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This Final Phase 2 Plan evaluated a reasonable range of design alternatives and selects alternative 7A as the preferred design for construction. The project will restore and conserve bird nesting and foraging habitat and create, restore, and enhance barrier and coastal islands and headlands by increasing the acreage of the island from 27.6 acres up to approximately 45 acres of shrub nesting, ground nesting, and marsh habitat. An existing, degraded perimeter rock dike will be restored, and breakwaters may be constructed on the northeast side of the island to provide further protection as well as calm water for loafing birds. Habitat restoration will be accomplished by raising the elevation of HNC Island using dredged material from a borrow area near Cat Island Pass.
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The plan will consider projects under the Wetlands, Coastal, and Nearshore Habitats restoration type. Two projects are selected for engineering and design: New Orleans East Landbridge Restoration will provide engineering and design for a project intended to create and restore marsh habitat that separates Lake Pontchartrain from Lake Borgne and the Gulf of Mexico. The approximate cost is $4 million. Raccoon Island Barrier Island Restoration will provide engineering and design for a project intended to create and enhance beach, dune, and tidal habitats through sand fill placement and shoreline protection. The approximate cost is $8.2 million. Two projects are selected for construction: Bayou Dularge Ridge and Marsh Creation is intended to create and nourish marsh on the south side of Bayou Dularge and restore the ridge along the southern bank of Bayou Dularge. The approximate cost is $41.4 million. Bayou La Loutre Ridge Restoration and Marsh Creation is intended to create and nourish marsh along Lena Lagoon, and restore the ridge along the southern bank of Bayou La Loutre. The approximate cost is $21.2 million.
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The draft plan includes proposed projects that restore the Wetlands, Coastal and Nearshore Habitat and Birds restoration types. It includes five proposed preferred alternatives which have a total estimated cost of $234.1 million.
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The Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group prepared the Final Supplemental Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment (PDF, 116 pages) for the Cypremort Point State Park Improvements Project Modifications. The modifications include substituting the original proposed breakwater system project feature with other recreational use features. The original breakwater was constructed using another funding source.
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LA TIG Restoration Plan/Environmental Assessment #5: Living Coastal and Marine Resources – Marine Mammals and Oysters
The Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group has initiated development of our Draft Restoration Plan/Environmental Assessment #5. This plan will propose restoration projects intended to compensate the public for injuries to oysters and marine mammals caused by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Our intent is to use a portion of the total oyster and marine mammal funding allocations in this plan, with additional restoration planning for these Restoration Types in the future.
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The Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group is considering design alternatives for the Large-Scale Barataria Marsh Creation: Upper Barataria Component project. The preferred design alternative, included in a draft restoration plan now open for public comment for 30 days until April 20, 2020, would create 1,207 acres of intertidal marsh in Upper Barataria Bay.
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Point-aux-Chenes Wildlife Management Area Project as evaluated in the Final Supplemental Envrionmental Assessment for the Point-aux-Chenes WMA Recreational Use Project (PDF, 43 pages), one component of the overall project, the boat launch for pirogues, kayaks, and other non-motorized vessels, will be moved from one location to another. The new location, on top of the Terrebonne Parish 4-3C Levee, provides access to tidally influenced brackish and intermediate marsh without requiring clearing of vegetation or causing adverse effects to sensitive habitats. No additional funds will be needed to implement this change.
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The LA TIG is proposing changes to the Wetlands Center Project in the Town of Jean Lafitte. The original project was approved in the July 2018 Final Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment #4. If approved, the project would be moved to another location adjacent to the town’s library, multipurpose facility, and Lafitte’s Barataria Museum.
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The Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group has released a draft restoration plan that proposes three restoration projects for the Wetlands, Coastal, and Nearshore Habitats restoration type. Together, the proposed projects would create or restore more than 1,900 acres of marsh, beach , and dune habitat and protect more than 11.5 miles of shoreline. The total estimated cost is approximately $209 million.