Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force 21 June 2011 Dawn Lavoie, USGS

1. Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force 21 June 2011 Dawn Lavoie, USGS Science Coordinator: GOM

2. Overview of Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force • 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

3. Ecosystem Restoration 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.

4. Task Force Responsibilities • Develop a Gulf of Mexico Regional Ecosystem Restoration Strategy • Coordinate intergovernmental efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of ecosystem restoration • 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

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

6. Strategy Development • 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

7. Principles for Ecosystem Restoration 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. • Restore and Conserve Habitat • Restore Water Quality • Replenish and Protect Living • Coastal and Marine Resources • Enhance Community Resilience

8. “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) http://www.restorethegulf.gov/task-force http://epa.gov/gulfcoasttaskforce/ dlavoie@usgs.gov or adausman@usgs.gov

9. Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration • 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 • 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 • 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 support • 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 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.