What's Happening Now

NRDA Status Update Released

The goal of this status update is to compile an overview of the potential impacts to the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem caused by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The document outlines the trustees’ past and near-term future activities to assess the injury to the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem and the lost human use of those resources caused by the oil spill and associated response actions. To that end, this status update provides a snapshot of assessment activities.

Click here to view the full NRDA Status Update.

 

Study by NOAA and Partners Shows Some Gulf Dolphins Severely Ill

Bottlenose dolphins in Barataria Bay, Louisiana, are showing signs of severe ill health, according to NOAA marine mammal biologists and their local, state, federal and other research partners.

Based on comprehensive physicals of 32 live dolphins from Barataria Bay in the summer of 2011, preliminary results show that many of the dolphins in the study are underweight, anemic, have low blood sugar and/or some symptoms of liver and lung disease. Nearly half also have abnormally low levels of the hormones that help with stress response, metabolism and immune function.

Click here to read the full report and find out how to learn more about the ongoing assessment.

 

Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Trustees Announce Major Progress in Gulf Restoration Effort

An estimated $60 million in early restoration projects soon will begin along the Gulf Coast following the finalization of the “Deepwater Horizon Phase I Early Restoration Plan & Environmental Assessment” (ERP/EA) (pdf, 12.1 MB).

This plan outlines eight restoration projects that will be implemented. The projects provide for marsh creation, coastal dune habitat improvements, nearshore artificial reef creation, and oyster cultch restoration, as well as the construction and enhancement of boat ramps to compensate for lost human use of resources.

To learn more about this important announcement or to view the final plan, click here.