Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force

21 June 2011

Dawn Lavoie,USGS

Science Coordinator: GOM

Recommended by the Mabus Report “America’s Gulf Coast”: Long-term restoration and recovery beyond the oil spill

Executive Order on October 5, 2010 Chair: Lisa Jackson, EPA Vice-Chairs: Garret Graves, LA Executive Director: John Hankinson, EPA Federal membership: Agriculture, Commerce,

Interior, Justice, and Transportation, EPA, USACE, OMB, CEQ, OSTP, and the Domestic Policy Council

State membership: 5 state representatives

Overview of Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task

Force

Per Executive Order- “Ecosystem restoration" means: • All activities, projects, methods, and procedures

appropriate to enhance the health and resilience of the Gulf Coast ecosystem, as measured in terms of the physical, biological, or chemical properties of the ecosystem, or the services it provides, and to strengthen its ability to support the diverse economies, communities, and cultures of the region. 

• Includes activity that initiates or accelerates the recovery of an ecosystem with respect to its health, integrity, and sustainability. 

• Includes protecting and conserving ecosystems so they can continue to reduce impacts from tropical storms and other disasters, support robust economies, and assist in mitigating and adapting to the impacts of climate change.

Ecosystem Restoration

Task Force Responsibilities

Support the Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) process by referring potential ecosystem restoration actions to the NRDA Trustee Council

Engage stakeholders to inform the work of the Task Force

Coordinate science (e.g., research, monitoring, adaptive management) in support of ecosystem restoration

Coordinate to encourage health and economic benefits of ecosystem restoration

Develop a Gulf of Mexico Regional Ecosystem Restoration Strategy

Coordinate intergovernmental efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of ecosystem restoration

Gulf of Mexico Regional Ecosystem Restoration

Strategy

In developing the Strategy, the Task Force should:

define ecosystem restoration goals & describe milestones for making progress; consider existing research and ecosystem

restoration planning efforts in the region; identify major policy areas where coordinated intergovernmental action is necessary; propose new programs or actions to implement elements of the Strategy where existing authorities are not sufficient; & identify monitoring, research and scientific

assessments needed to support decision making for ecosystem restoration efforts; evaluate existing monitoring programs & gaps in current data collection.

The Executive Order requires a Gulf of Mexico Regional Ecosystem Restoration Strategy within 1 year of the signed

Executive Order.

Building from existing planning efforts Long history of restoration planning in the Gulf

Soliciting state and federal agency input Examining current science/policy priorities from the Task Force membership

Engaging Gulf stakeholders Local citizens Local government Non-profit organizations Research community Industry

Integrating diverse input into a robust, action-driven, science-based implementation strategy that will guide Gulf-wide ecosystem restoration efforts

Strategy Development

Principles for Ecosystem Restoration

• Restore and Conserve Habitat

• Restore Water Quality

• Replenish and Protect Living Coastal and Marine Resources

• Enhance Community Resilience

The following themes serve as the drivers for achieving the vision of resilient and healthy Gulf of Mexico ecosystems. These broad objectives draw from, and build upon, existing plans for the Gulf.

http://www.restorethegulf.gov/task-forcehttp://epa.gov/gulfcoasttaskforce/

dlavoie@usgs.gov or adausman@usgs.gov

“America’s Gulf Coast is a national treasure. Its natural resources are an important economic engine for the entire

United States; its waters sustain a diverse and vibrant ecosystem; and the Gulf’s culture, natural beauty, and historic significance to the birth and growth of America are unique and

priceless.” (America’s Gulf Coast)

Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force

Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration

The goals of NRDAR are:• Restore the habitats and resources to the condition they would have been had the oil or hazardous substances not been released• Compensate the public for the loss of their use or enjoyment of natural resources

Process• Site specific (nexus to injured resources)• Authorized under Federal law (OPA, CERCLA, CWA)• Responsible party pays restoration costs• Trustee Council oversight• Public engagement• Requires scientific, legal, and economic support

The goals of the Task Force are:• Coastal habitats are healthy and resilient • Living marine resources are healthy, diverse and sustainable• Coastal communities are adaptive and resilient • Inland habitats and watersheds are managed to help support healthy and sustainable Gulf of Mexico ecosystems• Offshore environments/habitats are healthy and well managed

Process• Gulf-wide ecosystem restoration strategy (broad in scope)• Established by Executive Order (E.O. 13554; 10/05/2010)• No designated funding; facilitate existing funding toward priority restoration actions• Enhance alignment of Federal, State and Local policy to facilitate restoration actions• Potential future establishment of Gulf Coast Council as long-term coordinating body• Public engagement• Requires scientific, legal, and economic supportThe NRDAR actions are independent of the Task Force; however, the work of the Task Force to develop a Gulf-wide ecosystem restoration strategy will help inform restoration planning and implementation by the Trustee Council and other entities working to restore the health and resiliency of the Gulf.