BP announced in December 2011 its first set of environmental restoration projects along the Gulf coast, including the Pensacola Beach Dune Project. Scott Page/Splash! The first set of early environmental restoration projects that are proposed for funding under the agreement BP signed in April were unveiled last week.

Among the initiatives is the Pensacola Beach Dune Project, which will restore 20.4 acres of dune habitat near the western end of Santa Rosa Island with a mix of native dune vegetation along 4.2 miles of beach.

In addition, the Florida Boat Ramp Enhancement Project will repair two existing public boat ramps and construct two new public boat ramps in Escambia County to improve access and provide additional opportunities to the public for water and boating related recreational activities. In addition, new visitor kiosks will be installed to provide educational information to boaters and the public.

Collectively, the eight proposed projects in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida will restore and enhance wildlife, habitats, the services provided by those habitats, and provide additional access for fishing, boating and related recreational uses. More early restoration projects are anticipated in the future.

Under the unprecedented April agreement, BP voluntarily committed to provide up to $1 billion to fund projects that will accelerate restoration efforts in Gulf Coast areas that were impacted by the Deepwater Horizon accident. The agreement enables work on restoration projects to begin at the earliest opportunity, before all of the studies under the Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) process are complete, and before funding is required by the Oil Pollution Act (OPA).

The Trustees responsible for identifying and implementing the first set of projects are from Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, the Department of the Interior and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The public will have the opportunity to review and comment on the initial projects before final approval and funding.

In addition to the two proposed projects in Florida, the other projects include the Alabama Dune Restoration Cooperative Project that will restore 55 acres of coastal sand dune habitat with native vegetation, protective fencing and informative signs across the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, the Bureau of Land Management Fort Morgan properties, the City of Gulf Shores and the City of Orange Beach.

The Alabama Marsh Island Restoration Project will protect 24 acres of existing salt marsh habitat and create 40 acres of additional salt marsh habitat in Portersville Bay. A permeable breakwater will be constructed in front of the island to reduce erosion of the existing marsh and the additional marsh habitat will be created adjacent to the island.

Funding for the early restoration projects will come from the $20 billion trust BP established in 2010 to meet individual, business and government claims, as well as the costs of natural resource damages.

In addition to reviewing and providing comment on the initial projects, the public can still submit project proposals. Early restoration project proposals and additional information can be found on the following website link: www.gulfspillrestoration. noaa.gov/restoration/give-usyour ideas/.