NOAA and Ducks Unlimited have just announced that they are teaming up to restore habitat damaged from oil spills and hazardous waste releases.
An initial cooperative agreement between the two organizations includes $1.8 million for restoration activities in the Gulf of Mexico, in coordination with the State of Texas.
This funding will support work on marine and coastal habitat conservation and restoration goals related to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
The funded project, the Dredged Material Planning for Wetland Restoration Project, will focus on marsh restoration at eight sites along the Texas coast.
As NOAA reported, the project will identify priority locations, develop up to 60% design work, and prepare permit application packages for Beneficial Use of Dredge Material (BUDM) for marsh restoration. This project will coordinate efforts to prioritize sites and produce guidelines to restore currently degrading intertidal habitats.
When restored, these habitats will support a diversity of fish and marine life that are important components of commercial and recreational fisheries, and other recreational industries.
The funding is part of a 2017 announcement of grants available to partners to implement projects restoring habitats and coastlines damaged by oil and chemical spills using funds recovered from those responsible for environmental harm.