Louisiana Trustees Initiate Restoration Plan #6 for Wetlands, Coastal and Nearshore Habitats

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Notice of Intent to Draft Restoration Plan in Louisiana.

The Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group is beginning the process of drafting a sixth restoration plan, this one focused on restoring and conserving wetlands, coastal, and nearshore habitats injured by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The plan will consider projects under the following restoration approaches: create, restore, and enhance coastal wetlands; restore oyster reef habitat; create, restore, and enhance barrier and coastal islands and headlands; and restore and enhance dunes and beaches.

We began this restoration planning effort on June 6, 2019 by requesting project ideas from the public. The submission period for project ideas closed on July 5, 2019. We greatly appreciate your input and are reviewing those projects that were submitted

We expect to release a draft restoration plan and associated environmental analyses in late 2019. The public will be given the opportunity to review and provide input on the proposed plan, including any specific projects proposed for implementation. After the public comment period ends, we will review, consider, and incorporate public comments, as appropriate, before releasing a final restoration plan.

Development of the Restoration Plan will be consistent with the Trustees’ Programmatic Damage Assessment and Restoration Plan, the Oil Pollution Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, their implementing regulations, together and with all applicable Federal and Louisiana law.