Texas Trustees Initiate Third Restoration Plan

Image
Texas Trustees have undertaken this restoration planning effort to compensate the public and restore natural resources injured by the oil spill in the Texas Restoration Area (Photo: NOAA)

The Texas Trustee Implementation Group is beginning the process of drafting its third restoration plan focused on restoring wetland, coastal, and nearshore habitats injured by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Texas Trustees have undertaken this restoration planning effort to compensate the public and restore natural resources injured by the oil spill in the Texas Restoration Area.  

The Texas Trustees’ first restoration plan (PDF, 510 pages), which was completed in 2017, selected the Dredged Material Planning for Wetland Restoration project to identify priority locations for the beneficial use of dredged material for marsh restoration at eight sites along the Texas coast. Engineering and design were conducted as part of the 2017 project.  The Texas Trustees’ third draft restoration plan will consider funding the construction of these sites along with a “no action” alternative.  

We expect to release a draft restoration plan and environmental assessment in early 2025. The public will be given the opportunity to review and provide comment on the draft plan and proposed projects. 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, and all applicable Federal and Texas law. 

Get future updates delivered directly to your inbox. Subscribe today for Gulf Spill Restoration news and updates.