DWH NRDA Restoration - Alabama TIG Draft Restoration Plan IV and Environmental Assessment: Wetlands, Coastal, and Nearshore Habitats; Nutrient Reduction; Birds; Oysters; and Provide and Enhance Recreational Opportunities

The Draft Restoration Plan IV and Environmental Assessment proposes projects to partially restore resources injured in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The Draft Plan evaluates a reasonable range of 11 project alternatives under the Oil Pollution Act (OPA), including criteria set forth in the OPA natural resource damage assessment (NRDA) regulations, and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and its implementing regulations. A No Action alternative is also analyzed for each restoration type.

Seven alternatives are identified as preferred:

Lower Perdido Islands Habitat Restoration Phase II,

Puppy Creek - Juniper Creek - Big Creek Nutrient Reduction,

Stewardship of Coastal Alabama Beach Nesting Bird Habitat,

Lower Perdido Islands Habitat Restoration - Phase II, Improving Resilience for Oysters
by Linking Brood Reefs and Sink Reefs (Large-scale) - Component 4 - Mid-lower Mobile
Bay, Alabama,

Oyster Grow-Out and Restoration Reef Replacement - 5-year continuation,

Bayfront Park Restoration and Improvement Phases Ia and Ib, and

Laguna Cove Little Lagoon Natural Resource Protection - Small Scale Amenities.

The total cost to implement the Alabama TIG's seven preferred alternatives is approximately $23,000,000.