The Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) is a long-term legal process in which the trustees from each state, alongside other organizations with similar restoration goals,

work together to assess losses caused by the spill, evaluate injuries associated with cleanup efforts and implement restoration projects. Results will not be seen immediately and projects will be implemented over months, years and even decades.

As of May 3, 2012, 271 projects have been submitted to DEP and are included on List 1: Draft Restoration Projects in Florida. As of May 3, 2012, 163 projects are on List 2: Draft Early Restoration Projects, which represents a reduction of projects from List 1 that meet select criteria directly related to Early Restoration. Projects not on List 2 may still qualify for restoration related to the oil spill, but will not be considered for the Early Restoration funds. All lists are dynamic and are updated regularly.

To submit a project idea, fill out a project submittal form along with a supplemental form and submit to Jessica Kanes. Projects may also be submitted by visiting http://www.gulfspillrestoration.noaa.gov/restoration/give-us-your-ideas/. Additional projects submitted for other states can be viewed on that site as well. View an update on NRDA projects.

Projects can be submitted to:

Jessica Kanes
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Environmental Specialist I
(850) 670-7707
Jessica.Kanes@dep.state.fl.us
Apalachicola NERR/FDEP
108 Island Drive
Eastpoint, FL 32328

Emergency Restoration

About

Oil impacts are surveyed and documented at Ft. Pickens.

Projects
As part of the ongoing NRDA process that has followed the Deepwater BP oil spill, federal and state partners have reached an agreement with BP to begin a new effort to restore submerged aquatic vegetation that was damaged by response vessels and activities. Part of this project is occurring in Florida. For more information visit: Restoration Begins on Underwater Grasses Damaged by Response to Deepwater BP Oil Spill

Early Restoration

About
Early restoration projects are those that can be implemented prior to the completion of the process where injuries to natural resources are known, ongoing or believed to have occurred. Early restoration projects are utilized when the trustees and those responsible for a spill can agree to initiate some restoration work without having to wait for the results of the NRDA and resolution of the claim. The decision to undertake early restoration does not mean that no other restoration will take place or that the responsible parties are absolved of liability. Because the early restoration is expected to compensate for only part of the injuries caused by the spill, additional restoration planning, implementation and monitoring will occur following the traditional NRDA restoration process. Project ideas can be submitted at http://www.gulfspillrestoration.noaa.gov/restoration/give-us-your-ideas/.

$1 Billion Agreement to Fund Early Gulf Coast Restoration Projects
Initial early restoration projects will be funded as a result of the unprecedented, Framework for Early Restoration Addressing Injuries Resulting from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill agreement. Through this agreement BP has committed $1 billion toward early restoration projects in the Gulf States.

The Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Trustees announce the finalization of Phase I of the DWH Oil Spill Phase 1 Early Restoration Plan/Environmental Assessment (ERP/EA). This plan includes the Phase 1 NRDA projects, which will be a dune restoration project on Pensacola Beach and four boat ramp revitalization construction projects in Escambia County. The Phase 1 NRDA projects are expected to cost an estimated $5.7 million, including possible contingencies, of the $100 million dollars Florida will receive for early restoration projects. The dune project and boat ramps are scheduled to begin construction this summer.

The trustees are working to move the next phase of early restoration forward. The selection process for future early restoration projects will proceed along the same lines as the first. After reaching preliminary agreement with BP on proposed projects, the trustees will seek public comments before finalizing any future plan.

Future projects must meet the following criteria to be eligible for early restoration funded by the Framework for Early Restoration Addressing Injuries Resulting from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill agreement:

• project must be located in the eight county affected area;
• address a known, suspected or potential injury related to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill;
• and meet the criteria of the Early Restoration Framework Agreement and the Oil Pollution Act of 1990.

View a slideshow of general information about the process and criteria for early restoration.