The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) today announced $8.8 million for five Texas projects that address high priority conservation needs. The projects, developed in consultation with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Texas General Land Office and federal resource agencies, are designed to remedy harm or reduce the risk of future harm to natural resources that were affected by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The moneys are the first disbursements from NFWF’s Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund, created earlier this year as part of the settlement between the U.S. Department of Justice, BP and Transocean to settle certain criminal charges against both companies in relation to the spill.
Today’s announcement represents the initial obligation of funds from the first disbursements received by the Gulf Fund. Under the allocation formula and other provisions contained in the plea agreements, $203 million will be paid into the Gulf Fund over the next five years for conservation projects in the State of Texas.
“Texas has a vast coastline with abundant natural resources, and this funding will help preserve the coast’s diverse habitats and contribute to the enrichment of the entire Gulf of Mexico ecosystem,” said Texas Governor Rick Perry.
“NFWF is proud to partner with the State of Texas to make these critical conservation investments,” said Jeff Trandahl, Executive Director and CEO of NFWF. “Building on these projects, we hope to make a lasting impact on the sustainability of natural resources of Texas’s vast coastal landscape.”
Texas Phase I Projects:
- Sea Rim State Park Coastal Dune Restoration
- Galveston Island State Park Marsh Restoration and Protection
- West Galveston Bay Conservation Corridor Habitat Preservation
- Oyster Reef Restoration in East Bay
- Gulf Coast Migratory Waterfowl Habitat Enhancement
The State of Texas is setting up a website where, in coming weeks, people can learn more about the process of identifying restoration projects for funding through the Gulf Fund, and suggest projects for consideration, at www.restorethetexascoast.org. (NOTE: this web page is still under construction and is not yet active.)
To learn more about NFWF’s Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund in Texas, visit http://www.nfwf.org/gulf/Pages/GEBF-Texas.aspx.
2013-11-14
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