Coastal Impact Assistance Program

A summary of the successes

June 8, 2015

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The Success of the Coastal Impact Assistance Program The Coastal Impact Assistance Program (CIAP) was authorized by Section 384 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The Secretary of the Department of the Interior (DOI) was authorized to administer and distribute $1 billion appropriated in Fiscal Years 2007-2010 ($250 million annually) to offshore oil and gas producing States and Coastal Political Subdivisions (CPS), which are affected coastal county, parish and borough governments. The annual funds were allocated by the formula prescribed by Congress to Alabama (AL), Alaska (AK), California (CA), Louisiana (LA), Mississippi (MS), Texas (TX) and 67 eligible CPS’s. States, through a designated State Agency, were also required to prepare a comprehensive State CIAP Plan and to involve the public in the planning effort. The State Plan describes the projects the state intended to fund through CIAP, the way the state and the CPS’s selected projects, and how the state intended to manage the program. Following preparation of the statewide plans, the respective Governors concurred with the proposals and submitted the Plans for DOI approval. Each proposed project in the State CIAP Plan benefits the natural coastal environment and addresses one or more authorized uses: 1) Projects and activities for the conservation, protection, or restoration of coastal areas, including wetlands; 2) Mitigation of damage to fish, wildlife, or natural resources; 3) Planning assistance and the administrative costs; 4) Implementation of a federally-approved marine, coastal or comprehensive conservation management plan; and 5) Mitigation of the impact of Outer Continental Shelf activities through funding of onshore infrastructure projects and public service needs. The six State CIAP Plans were initially approved by DOI in 2008 and 2009 and are in the process of being implemented. Copies of State CIAP Plans are available on the web, as referenced in the state-specific information below. Federal grant funds awarded, a total of about $960 million, are administered by DOI through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). All CIAP funded projects are currently on track to be completed by December 31, 2016. The following is a brief summary of how CIAP grant funds are being used in each state. Alaska Alaska’s total CIAP allocation is $79,407,445.

• $27,792,606 (35%) is allocated directly to the eight eligible Alaska CPSs • $51,614,839 (65%) is allocated directly to the State

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the designated state agency that has the authority to represent and act for the state in dealing with FWS for statewide CIAP purposes. The Alaska Legislature appropriated the direct-to-state funding as follows:

• Alaska DNR for state-initiated projects: $23,067,581 • Alaska Department of Fish and Game for the Western Alaska Salmon Coalition’s Chum and

Sockeye Genetic Identification Program: $1,373,070 • Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (Commerce) for an

open solicitation of projects from the public: $13,710,856 • Alaska Commerce for use by named municipalities and non-profit organizations: $9,340,520

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In total, CIAP funds over 130 projects in Alaska statewide (direct-to-state funding and direct-to-CPS funding combined). The Alaska CIAP Plan provides detailed information on each project and is available on the Alaska CIAP webpage at http://dnr.alaska.gov/commis/CIAP/ciap.htm Projects address a variety of priority issues including local and regional spill prevention and response planning: habitat restoration and conservation; mapping and imagery; baseline data critical for the protection of wildlife; marine debris; contaminants; natural hazards; subsistence; and climate change. For example:

• $15 million support 17 mapping projects • $8.8 million support 20 restoration projects • $17.8 million support 30 contaminant investigation and/or removal projects

Most projects address more than one priority issue. In depth information can be found on line for several key CIAP projects:

• Geohazards Evaluation and Geologic Mapping for Coastal Communities: http://dggs.alaska.gov/sections/engineering/profiles/coastalhazards.html

• Imagery Basemap and Elevation Model for Alaska Coastal Communities: http://www.alaskamapped.org/sdmi

• Waste Erosion Assessment and Review Project: http://dec.alaska.gov/eh/sw/wear.html

• Coastal Protection: Alaska Climate Change Impact Community Assistance Project: http://commerce.state.ak.us/dnn/dcra/PlanningLandManagement/AlaskaCommunityCoastalProtectionProject.aspx

• Local and Regional Spill Prevention and Response Planning: Geographic Response Strategies: http://dec.alaska.gov/spar/perp/grs/home.htm

• ShoreZone: http://shorezone.org/

• Arctic Ecosystem Integrated Survey: https://web.sfos.uaf.edu/wordpress/arcticeis/

• Northwest Arctic Borough- Subsistence Mapping Project: http://www.nwabor.org/subsistence_mapping.html

Alaska’s very informative and user friendly CIAP website has quarterly newsletters that describe a variety of projects, their value and success, and where more information can be found. The state also promotes the program at an annual environmental conference “The Alaska Forum on the Environment.” The CIAP Statewide Contact is Sylvia Kreel, Alaska CIAP Project Coordinator, AK DNR – Office of Project Management and Permitting, Juneau, AK. Phone: (907) 465-3177

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Louisiana Approximately $496 million in CIAP funds were allocated within Louisiana. The State of Louisiana directly received more than $322 million and the eligible 19 coastal parishes were allocated about $174 million. The statewide Louisiana CIAP program is administered by the Department of Natural Resources Office of Coastal Management Coastal Restoration and Protection Authority (CRPA). The State of Louisiana’s CIAP plan consists of 31 state-funded and 76 parish-funded projects. Louisiana has currently funded 99 projects with the $496 million in CIAP funds. A list of the projects and status can be found in their newsletter and through the CRPA website (www.coastal.la.gov). At the end of 2014, about $290 million in projects were completed. The majority of Louisiana projects are for coastal and wetland restoration, shoreline stabilization and related infrastructure. The website describes the responsibilities of the CRPA and how the CIAP program fits with the State plans. This also includes the $627 million Gulf Spill Restoration Plan funding and other programs. On this link are the plans for the overall program and quarterly progress reports, which include CIAP projects. One can reference project numbers and find a description of the project and status. The approved Louisiana CIAP Plan, the first submitted and approved by DOI, is on the web at: http://www.lacpra.org/assets/docs/CIAP%20News/CIAP%20Plan%20V4_dec2011.pdf. In Louisiana, CIAP is an integral part of a comprehensive coastal plan developed by the State http://coastal.la.gov/annualplan/. Texas Over $109 million in CIAP funds were allocated to the State of Texas. Projects focus on remediating the impact of offshore oil and gas exploration. The diverse nature of projects, ranging from sea turtle conservation to marsh restoration to research, enhance the Texas coastline in the 18 coastal counties from Sabine Pass to the Rio Grande. The Texas Land Office administers (GLO) CIAP grants through a sub-contract with the grant applicant. http://www.glo.texas.gov/what-we-do/caring-for-the-coast/grants-funding/ciap/index.html Program and project plans can be found on the website under the reports link. At the top of the website is a Costal Projects Search. A search function provides a brief description of the proposal as proposed and budget, however it is not user friendly, there are no reports, status or accomplishments. Notable accomplishments include:

• Protection of 8,536 acres of coastal habitats through land acquisition • Removal of 1,226 derelict pilings from Galveston Bay • Protection of 19,068 linear feet of shoreline • Restoration of 27.6 acres of intertidal marsh and 3,800 linear feet of dunes • Utilization of 510,400 cubic yards of sand for shoreline nourishment • Plugging of 37 wells to eliminate pollution threats to state waters

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Mississippi Over $109.3 million in CIAP funds were allocated to the State of Mississippi. The program is administered through the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (DMR) that was charged with coordinating the planning process and implementing the approved state-DMR projects. In addition the DMR, eligible CIAP recipients are Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson Counties. The DMR received $ 70.0 million, Hancock, Harrison and Jackson Counties received about $7.5 million, $15.1 million and $15.6 million, respectively. The Mississippi State CIAP Plan provides detail on over 100 approved CIAP projects. Mississippi projects focus on protecting habitats, primarily through land acquisition, and public education and facilities to enhance awareness of the sensitive, native gulf coastal environment. Mississippi CIAP website provides a link to all proposed projects. Mississippi also publishes a newsletter with a list of projects and current status. http://www.dmr.state.ms.us/index.php/dmr-information/ciap http://www.dmr.state.ms.us/dmr-information/ciap Alabama The lead agency for the Alabama CIAP program is the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), charged with the development of the state CIAP Plan and implementing the approved state projects. The State Lands Division of the DCNR provides primary day-to-day management and oversight of the program and coordinates closely with the coastal political subdivisions in development of a CIAP Plan and in monitoring the implementation of projects. In Alabama, the CIAP eligible recipients are the State of Alabama (through the DCNR), and Baldwin and Mobile Counties. Over $90 million in CIAP funds was allocated to Alabama. The DCNR received $58.7 million, Baldwin County received $14.1 million and Mobile County received $17.5 million. Information about the Alabama program efforts can be found on their website: www.alabamaciap.com, including a comprehensive state CIAP Plan with contributions from several state agencies and departments, local and public input and five Federal agencies. An interesting feature of the sight is a PowerPoint that highlights some projects and the status. http://www.outdooralabama.com/sites/default/files/images/file/Status%20of%20CIAP%20Grants%20rev4.pdf The focus of Alabama projects includes public infrastructure and wildlife, marine and wetlands habitat improvements. Also funded in Alabama are educational facilities and displays, including the Coastal Impacts Exhibit Hall, located adjacent to the Dauphin Island Sea Lab; the Five Rivers Delta Resources Education Program Enhancements and Gulf State Park Environmental Education Center. Other priorities include the control of non-native invasive species, particularly in the Mobile delta.

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California About $24.7 million in CIAP funds were allocated to the State of California and the 17 eligible counties governments. The California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) is the lead state agency for coordinating the state CIAP Plan and implementing CIAP in California. The CNRA worked diligently with state agencies, counties and other interested parties to develop a Coastal Impact Assistance Program Plan that describes proposed projects, expenditure of funds, and state administration of the CIAP. The total CIAP allocation for California was $24,684,372, distributed to eligible counties and the lead state agency as shown in the table below.

Alameda County $185,086 San Luis Obispo Co $609,732 Contra Costa Co $88,076 San Mateo Co $230,899 Los Angeles Co $1,521,276 Santa Barbara Co $2,861,066 Marin Co $155,799 Santa Clara Co $228,879 Monterey Co $387,986 Santa Cruz Co $164,222 Napa Co $11,175 Solano Co $35,478 Orange Co $539,922 Sonoma Co $142,575 San Diego Co $539,574 Ventura Co $840,208 San Francisco Co $97,578 CNRA $16,044,841

The funding was primarily used to co-fund some of the highest priority projects in the state that met the CIAP goals as well as the strategic goals of the California Coastal Zone Management Program. The program and plan are show on the website http://resources.ca.gov/ciap/. The project plan describes each project and the objective. Funding priorities in California included coastal habitat restoration, water quality improvement, wetland restoration, invasive species mitigation, mapping, marine debris cleanup, and public outreach on the importance of the sensitive ecology of the affected California coastal and wetland areas. As examples, California projects included a Wetlands Monitoring Tool Kit; Energy and Ocean Based Projects, such as the challenges of emerging technologies including alternative energy, liquid natural gas and desalination; aquatic invasive species control and outreach; and wildlife and habitat management projects, including several sediment management projects and a Coastal Water Quality Technology Transfer program. The following are a few examples of the successful Coastal Impact Assistance Program.

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State: Alaska

Location: Alaskan Coastal Communities

Title: Geohazards Evaluation and Geologic Mapping for Coastal Communities

Work Performed by: Dept. of Natural Resources, Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys (DGGS)

Project Dates: October 2010 – June 2016

Total CIAP Funding: $2,725,500

Objectives: More than 60 percent of Alaskans reside in coastal communities that are inherently vulnerable to natural hazards such as erosion, storm-surge flooding, and ice push. While these communities have been exposed to ongoing coastal processes in some form since their establishment, the timing, frequency, and magnitude of new hazard events has increased. As a result of these trends, some Alaska villages experiencing extreme rates of coastal erosion have been labeled ‘imperiled’ or ‘at risk’ by the U.S. General Accounting Office, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Communities throughout the state are becoming increasingly involved in costly mitigation or adaptation efforts to ensure the protection of human life, property, and the coastal environment amid accelerated erosion rates and thawing permafrost. The goal of this project is to develop planning tools, such as vulnerability and geologic maps that can inform local decision making to ensure that planned and proposed development will not exacerbate existing hazards or trigger new events.

Accomplishments: Since 2009, DGGS has used CIAP funds to establish a coastal vulnerability mapping program in support of local and regional planning. This program ensures the collection of relevant coastal and oceanic process field measurements, mapping of local geology and documentation of historic and contemporary natural hazard events. Resulting maps and reports identify natural hazards that must be considered in the siting, design, construction, and operation of coastal development projects. Baseline data have been collected in 12 areas thus far.

Shoreline Change Detection Combining field measurements with historic aerial and satellite imagery, DGGS is mapping rates of shoreline change, inlet migration, and landform evolution to describe geologic history/ contemporary coastal conditions.

Baseline Data Collection

In support of ongoing mapping, DGGS is continually expanding Alaska’s limited archive of baseline coastal data with water level measurements, coastal sediment composition and grain size,

nearshore water depths, and radiocarbon dating of coastal features. Flood and Erosion Vulnerability

By improving topography and bathymetry measurements, documenting past hazard events, and identifying patterns of coastal sediment transport, we can now develop vulnerability maps for coastal communities.

Survey-grade GPS is used to record the elevation of November 2011 storm runup in Unalakleet, Alaska.

Shoreface grain size in Gambell, Alaska (2013)

A DGGS geologist measures the position of a bluff edge north of the main inlet in Shishmaref, Alaska (2012)

Additional information: http://dggs.alaska.gov/sections/engineering/profiles/coastalhazards.html

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State: Alaska Location: Northwest Arctic Borough: Noatak, Kivalina, Deering, Buckland, Selawik, Noorvik, and Kotzebue Title: Subsistence Mapping Project Work Performed by: Northwest Arctic Borough Project Dates: November 2010- May 2015 Total CIAP Funding: $1,787,430 Objectives: The people of the Northwest Arctic Borough harvest fish, game and plants to feed their families while natural resources provide jobs. Changes in climate, increased marine shipping, and proposed development are expected in the near future. The objective of the Northwest Arctic Borough Subsistence Mapping Project is to respond to these changes by providing tools to support both food security and development. Accomplishments: The Northwest Arctic Borough Subsistence Mapping project has produced an updated atlas of maps combining local traditional knowledge and Western science showing the following:

• Subsistence Use – Places where people look for food by season

• Important Ecological Areas – Places where animals feed, breed, raise young, and migrate on the terrestrial or in the freshwater and marine environments

• Resource Development Opportunity Areas – Places where the surface, subsurface, landscape, freshwater or marine environment could be altered for the purpose of economic development.

The maps will be used in Borough land-use planning, zoning, and permitting; assist in the development review process; support Borough comments on proposed actions; aid in the implementation of federal plans; and help protect subsistence and promote development. During the development of the atlas the Borough conducted approximately 250 individual mapping interviews and digitized thousands of Iñupiaq place names to support education, promote language preservation, help with search and rescue, and support oil spill contingency planning.

Additional information: http://www.nwabor.org/subsistence_mapping.html

Raymond Lee, Jr. of Buckland harvesting smelt with youth. Photo provided by Raymond Lee, Jr.

Report to the President: This project was featured in a Department of Interior Report to the President addressing Promising Approaches to Managing for the Future in a Rapidly Changing Arctic. Local and regional efforts: The Northwest Arctic Borough established the Subsistence Mapping Project to identify and map subsistence resources and provide information to support decisions about energy and infrastructure development. The project fosters cooperation with state and federal agencies and provides a foundation for integrating scientific information with local and traditional knowledge.

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State: Alaska Location: Statewide Title: Local and Regional Spill Prevention and Response Planning Work Performed by: Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC), Division of Spill Prevention and Response Project Dates: June 2010-June 2016 Total CIAP Funding: $1,035,000 Objectives: Alaska’s local communities and pristine coastal environment could be significantly impacted if marine spills are not responded to and contained immediately. Additionally, on average, approximately 2,000 oil and hazardous substance spills are reported ADEC every year. These are typically from commercial fuel facilities, tanker trucks, freighters, fishing boats, leaking storage tanks, discarded waste, abandoned drums, and mystery spills and can cause serious damage to public health, property, and the environment. Because of the state’s vast size and remoteness, local residents are frequently the first line of defense in responding to oil or hazardous substance releases since outside responders cannot typically arrive in time to deal with immediate impacts. Thus, Alaska's communities play an important role in minimizing oil and hazardous substance spill impacts. The objective of this project is to improve the state’s response systems through four interconnected initiatives that increase state and local community ability to provide immediate response services during the first critical hours of a spill response. Accomplishments: Potential Places of Refuge (PPOR): Maps showing 58 pre-identified places of refuge have been developed with CIAP funds to aid decision makers in responding to vessels in distress. These plans are tailored to protect sensitive areas from impacts from possible spills and are map-based to save time during the critical first few hours of a vessel response. http://dec.alaska.gov/spar/perp//ppor/home.htm Emergency Towing System (ETS): An Emergency Towing System (ETS) is a pre-staged package of equipment that may be deployed in the event a disabled vessel requires assistance in accessing a place of refuge. The system is designed to use vessels of opportunity to assist those in distress. Four ETS packages have been purchased with CIAP funds and pre-positioned at strategic locations for rapid deployment. This preplanned action minimizes the time involved to initiate emergency towing procedures and the potential for the vessel to go aground and sustain an oil or hazardous substance spill. Annual deployment field training exercises are scheduled around the state. http://dec.alaska.gov/spar/perp/ets/index.htm Community Spill Response Program: Six spill response containers have been purchased, stocked with response equipment, and pre-positioned at key locations in the state to allow for rapid response. Community agreements have been obtained and a local cadre of spill responders has been trained in each participating community. http://dec.alaska.gov/spar/perp/local_resp.htm Geographic Response Strategies (GRS): GRS are pre-identified, site-specific, map-based, spill response tactics that show responders where sensitive areas are located and where to place oil spill protection resources to protect the most sensitive coastal and shoreline areas in the event of an oil spill. Each GRS includes site bathymetry and photographs, detailed deployment strategies, identification of sensitive resources in the area, contact information, and other site characteristics (prevailing winds, tides, currents, ice issues, etc.). CIAP has funded over 300 GRSs statewide. http://dec.alaska.gov/spar/perp//grs/home.htm

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The numbers above represent efforts funded through CIAP only. Each initiative includes non CIAP funded components.

Hypothetical Sequence of Events and Relationship of the Four Initiatives

Vessel Issues Distress Call to Coast Guard

ETS Dispatched via Tow Tug or Other Available Vessel

Vessel Sustains Loss of Propulsion or Steerage

Vessel Directed to Place of Refuge

Vessel Has Propulsion

and Steerage

Vessel Towed to Port or Place of Refuge

Vessel is Discharging Oil at Port or Place of Refuge

Local Responders Use pre-developed GRS and Spill Response Equipment to Protect

Critical Coastline Sensitive Areas

GRS

AND

LOCAL COMMUNITY SPILL RESPONSE PROGRAM

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State: Louisiana Location: Caminada Headland is located south and east of Port Fourchon in Lafourche Parish Title: Caminada Headland Beach and Dune Restoration Total Budget: $70.7 million (CIAP funds used to complement State Surplus funds) Issue Addressed: Over the last 100 years, the Caminada Headland has experienced significant shoreline erosion and land loss, averaging 35 feet per year, to its marsh, wetland, beach, and dune habitats as a result of storm overtopping and breaching, saltwater intrusion, wind and wave induced erosion, sea level rise, and subsidence. Project Goals: 3.3 million cubic yards of sand is being dredged and transported from Ship Shoal, an offshore borrow site 27 miles away in the Gulf of Mexico. This is the first time that sand from Ship Shoal—an abundant sediment source—is being used for a restoration

project. The sand is being barged to a staging area near the mouth of Belle Pass, then is pumped via a pipeline for placement on the shoreline. As the project progresses, the pipeline will be extended along the six mile stretch. This project aims to create and enhance 303 acres of beach and dune, reinforcing almost six miles of barrier headland habitat, reducing the impacts of storm events on Port Fourchon and Highway 1, a vital hurricane evacuation route for Fourchon and Grand Isle. The Caminada Headland also provides important habitat for nesting shorebirds as well as migratory birds as it is one of the first available stopover sites during migration. The headland is also critical habitat for the endangered piping plover.

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State: Louisiana Location: East and West Grand Terre Islands are located at the mouth of Barataria Bay, in Jefferson and Plaquemines Parish Title: East Grand Terre Island Restoration Project Dates: Total Budget: $28.5 Million ($27 Million CIAP, rest from State Surplus Funds) Objectives: Create 74 acres of dune and 211 acres of marsh habitat. Accomplishments: • Restored the gulfside shorelines on East and West Grand Terre Islands to a position that remains seaward of

the preconstruction shoreline for at least 6 years following construction. • Maintained average dune platform elevation on East and West Grand Terre Islands at or above the as-built

elevation using vegetation planting and sand fencing. • Constructed a 211-acre wetland platform on East Grand Terre Island comprising 96% land and 4% water 1 year

after construction; 82% land after 10 years; and 62% land after 20 years. • Created habitat comprising wetland vegetation on the land portion of the wetland platform, of which 25% will

have at least 80% cover in target year 1 and 100% will have at least 80% cover in target years 3, 10, and 20.

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State: Louisiana Location: Barataria Basin within Jefferson Parish Title:Dedicated Dredging on the Barataria Basin Landbridge Project Dates: Completed March 2010 Total Funding: $36 Million ($18 Million CIAP, other funding from CWPPRA and State Surplus Objectives: This project has filled open water areas to create new marsh, and nourished existing marsh by using hydraulic dredged material. Containment dikes were constructed from in-situ material around the original CWPPRA project footprint. Placement outside of the CWPPRA footprint was done with limited confinement using existing spoilbanks and marsh. Containment dikes were used only in strategic locations such as small bayous and openings in the marsh. The source of material was two borrow sites in Bayou Rigolettes and one borrow site in Bayou Perot. Accomplishments: The upper portion of the Barataria Basin is largely a freshwaterdominated system of natural levee ridges, swamps, and fresh marsh. Marine and tidal processes (along with barrier islands, saline and brackish marshes, tidal channels, large bays, and lakes) dominate the lower portion of the basin. Historically, a small, meandering Bayou Perot and the longer and narrower Bayou Dupont, Bayou Barataria, and Bayou Villars channels provided limited hydrologic connection between the upper and lower basin.

However, those hydrologic connections are much greater today because of the Barataria Bay Waterway, Bayou Segnette Waterway, and the Harvey Cut. In addition, substantial erosion and interior marsh loss between the enlarged Perot and Rigolettes bayous have also contributed to the problem. The project area has been experiencing annual land loss rates of roughly 2.5% in recent years, mostly due to interior marsh deterioration and wind and wave induced erosion. The previously approved Barataria Basin Landbridge Shoreline Protection Project (BBLSPP) will protect the project area from the high wave energy of the Perot and Rigolettes bayous, but the interior wetlands will continue to deteriorate from subsidence, sea-level rise, and excessive tidal exchange. The Davis Pond Freshwater Diversion Project will freshen this area, possibly converting it from brackish to intermediate marsh. However, Davis Pond will not add land-building sediments to this area, and marsh deterioration will continue even under the freshened conditions.

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State: Texas Location: Various Coastal Counties Title: Coastal Impacts Technology Program Work Performed by: Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC), various subcontractors Project Dates: 2011 - 2016 Total CIAP Funding: $3,960,000 Objectives: CITP is a comprehensive program that identifies environmentally friendly technologies, supporting research to implement and demonstrate impact mitigation potential along the Texas Gulf Coast. Program projects are aimed at developing methodologies and measuring effectiveness of technologies to conserve, protect or restore the natural coastal environment, and to educate the workforce. The goal is to provide a program of research and demonstration that may lead to commercial application of technologies that will reduce environmental impacts of unconventional natural gas and other petroleum exploration and production activities along the Texas Gulf Coast. Accomplishments: Fourteen different projects in research, demonstration and workforce development are underway and will be completed by mid-2016. Highlights include: Watershed Education Training (WET) Eco-Art Workshop and Adventure

Energy production workforce personnel participate in watershed education training focused on the Galveston Bay estuarine

system. The place-based and experiential learning modules promote a common lexicon of environmental vocabulary and concepts applicable to all watersheds, estuaries, and wetland regions. Participants engage in hands-on, place-based, and meaningful watershed experiences through a class in

Eco-Art Workshops and outdoor Eco-Art Adventures via kayaks that integrate the disciplines of art and science.

Environmentally Friendly Drilling Virtual Rig The objective of the EFD Virtual Site (www.efdvirtualsite.org) is to develop environmental awareness among employees. In addition, the site allows for

industry to demonstrate how environmental issues are addressed. The vision is to have the animation start with a drill site that includes technologies that were standard in the past. The animation would have two methods to interact with the viewer. The first method would be to have the drill site ‘evolve’ from the rig of the past to the rig of the future. Biological Emissions Treatment Technology Deployment to Reduce Air Pollution for Refining Operations Biological treatment of air emissions is a cost effective and sustainable alternative to high-temperature thermal oxidizers or flares as a means removing Hazardous Air Pollutants and Volatile Organic Compounds for emissions reductions. This project demonstrates the capture and treatment of air pollutants using two-stage biofiltration technology. Biological treatment of waste air achieves pollutant destruction at ambient temperatures and does not generate secondary pollutants that result from flaring and other high-temperature oxidation technologies. Benefits of this technology include fewer greenhouse gas emissions, as well as economic and energy savings.

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State: Texas Location: Matagorda Bay, South Southeast of Palacios, Matagorda County, Texas Title: Half Moon Reef Oyster Reef Restoration Phase 1 Work Performed by: The Nature Conservancy Project Dates: 9/1/2012 – 12/31/2016 Total CIAP Funding: $3,842,300 Project goal: To construct a three-dimensional sub-tidal reef structure over 25-30 acres located within the historic footprint of Half Moon Reef in Matagorda Bay. Objectives: 1. Contract with a private coastal engineering firm

(PED Contractor) to assist TNC with planning, engineering, design and specifications, permitting, environmental assessment, bid solicitation, and construction administration;

2. Revise/update preliminary engineering design (PED) and Environmental Assessment and finalized construction drawings for Phase 1 project;

3. Bid package, solicited contractor bids, and final contract;

4. GLO surface lease and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) permit and completed reef construction;

5. Monitoring plan; 6. Marketing and multi-media approach to bring

attention to importance of reef restoration and coastal conservation partnerships.

Accomplishments: • Twenty-six (26) rows of limestone rocks, ranging

in size from 6-inches to 30-inches, were placed at the restoration site, creating approximately 34 acres of reef habitat.

• Monitoring underway in partnership with Texas A&M University Corpus Christi to quantify oyster reef recruitment, survival, population structure, density, and disease levels of oysters on the restored reef. Monitoring will also quantify the density and diversity of finfish and macroinvertebrates within the restored reef to determine the relative habitat function provided.

• Monitoring underway in partership with Texas A&M Univeristy Galveston to evaluate overall residency and site fidelity to Half Moon Reef by recreation sportfish.

• The oyster reef is doing very well, with many oysters near market size already. We have excellent diversity of oyster size classes, showing that several different spat sets have occurred.

• Several news releases on the project, both in type and tv (lists of these and links can be found in the progress reports)

• Given several presentations at various oyster and estuarine conferences (lists of these are in the progress reports)

• Set up a facebook page and have sent out several twitter feeds about Half Moon Reef

• Created a video for The Nature Conservancy website about Half Moon Reef

http://coastalresilience.org/half-moon-reef-texas/

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State: Texas Location: Along the Texas Coast Title: Texas Farm and Ranch Lands Conservation Program Work Performed by: Various land trusts noted below Project Dates: 4/25/2012 – 12/31/2016 Total CIAP Funding: $5,089,271.30

Goal: The overall goal of the Texas Farm & Ranch Lands Conservation Program project is to protect coastal natural resources with the strategic acquisition of agricultural conservation easements on lands whose use directly impacts coastal bays and estuaries.

Measurable Objectives: To purchase conservation easement(s) on a minimum of 5,000 acres of land along the Texas coast.

Accomplishments: • On December 29, 2011, Ducks Unlimited

purchased a conservation easement to protect 700 acres of Savannah Oaks Ranch in Brazoria County.

• On July 16, 2013, the Texas Agricultural Land Trust purchased conservation easements for Bulanek Farm Tract 1 (363 acres) and Bulanek Farm Tract 2 (300 acres) in Brazoria County.

• On May 13, 2014, Texas RICE purchased an agricultural conservation easement on 804.52 acres of Tomlinson Farms in Matagorda County.

• On December 23, 2015, the Galveston Bay Foundation purchased a conservation easement for 1,096.96 acres on Lone Pine Farms in Brazoria County.

• GLO staff continues to work with project partners to purchase conservation easements for 3,120 acres of the Willow Glen Plantation in Brazoria County, 175 acres of Baldpate Farms in Matagorda County, 190 acres of Holly Farms Ranch in Brazoria County, and 498 acres of Stopover Ranch in Jackson County.

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State: Mississippi Location: Hancock County Title: Pearlington, Ansley, Lakeshore, Heron Bay and Spring Wood Park Sewer Implementation Project Dates: Ongoing phases to be completed by December 31, 2016 Total CIAP Funding: $4,984,344 Project Description: To address household and other sewage issues, this project provides wastewater collection services for approximately 600 households in the community of Pearlington and approximately 460 households and light commercial buildings in the unincorporated communities of Ansley, Lakeshore, Heron Bay and Spring Wood Park.

Project Objective: This project alleviates domestic water pollution from inadequate and outdated septic systems in several low lying communities that will improve water quality in the downstream areas, including the Pearl River and the Mississippi Sound. The benefits of the project extend to the surrounding communities as pollutants from sewage often result in infectious diseases that infect aquatic life and terrestrial life.

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State: Mississippi Location: Harrison County Title: Empowering the Future Generations of Ecological Stewards in Tchoutacabouffa River Greenway Project Dates Complete Total CIAP Funding: $500,008.96 Project Description: The project is to acquire approximately 40 acres of land for protection and restoration of native vegetation and establish a greenway along the Tchoutacabouffa River near a proposed City of D’Iberville nature area. Project Objective: To restore and protect the sensitive riverine and wetland habitats along the Tchoutacabouffa River while providing low impact public access and educational experiences that support resource stewardship.

State: Mississippi Location: Jackson County Title: Ocean Springs Land Acquisition and Clearing for the Protection of Storm Water Outfalls Project Dates: Complete Project Description: Purchase approximately 20 acres of land in two areas within the city limits of Ocean Springs, MS. The overall goal of several CIAP projects located nearby are to restore and preserve natural flood plain and drain way activity, and to mitigate the impact of future storms by reducing flooding in the area. Project Objective: To restore and maintain undeveloped areas and mitigate any future damages, especially those caused by flooding.

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State: Mississippi Title: Pascagoula River Ecotourism and Education Trails Project Dates: Completed Total CIAP Funding: $410,000 Project Description: The Pascagoula River Ecotourism and Education Trails project is managed by the Land Trust for the Mississippi Coastal Plain. The DMR and the Land Trust will acquire up to 100 acres of land to provide additional public access to the Pascagoula River through trails at Merrill. The Pascagoula Watershed is home to a rich diversity of wildlife, including 327 species of birds that breed among the sprawling cypress-tupelo swamps, oxbow lakes and pine ridges. Wading birds forage throughout the bayous, along with swallow-tailed kites that use the extensive bottomland forest. The rare Mississippi sandhill crane is also known to occur within the pine savanna.

Project Objective: The long term objective of this land acquisition project is to protect the land for future generations while promoting public stewardship through education and outdoor experiences near this unique Mississippi resource. This project is an integral part of a larger effort to protect this area by conservation organizations and others. The Pascagoula River (81 miles long) is the last unregulated major river system in the lower 48 states. The river goes from brackish to fresh and is a popular area for birdwatchers and other outdoor enthusiasts to view many types of birds including osprey, bald eagles, red winged black birds, and herons. Other abundant wildlife includes alligators, beaver, and otters.

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State: Alabama Location: Mobile and Baldwin Counties Title: Investigation and Control of Non-native Terrestrial Exotic and Nuisance Species in Designated Protected Areas Project Dates: Ongoing Total CIAP Funding: $766,666.67 Project Description: A conservation easement approach is planned for the Perdido River Corridor effort which would keep land ownership in private hands while shielding the area from development and ensuring public access for outdoor recreation. These future plans call for a recreational water trail with several access points for canoes, kayaks, and small boats as well as designated trails for equestrians and hikers. Perdido River Canoe Trail helps anglers find access to various points along the river. The goal of this project is to restore the upland areas of the Perdido River Corridor to native longleaf pine communities and remove non-native invasive plant species from areas at Weeks Bay Reserve by spot treatment of herbicides and controlled burns.

Project Objective: To restore the native longleaf pine community to benefit wildlife and the ecological balance of the sensitive wetland and coastal environment along the Perdido River.

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State: Alabama Location: Mobile County Title: Dauphin Island Shoreline Stabilization Project Project Dates: Ongoing Total CIAP Funding: $5 million Project Description: Dauphin Island, AL is a coastal barrier island located in southern Mobile County. It has experienced significant erosion along both the east and west ends. Specific areas of concern include the east end beach area directly south of the Dauphin Island Audubon Bird Sanctuary. It is estimated, the shoreline has severely eroded increasing the risk for over-washing of the freshwater lake at the sanctuary. During frequent storms in recent history, the dune field on the island has been destroyed. On the west end, the lowered elevations have resulted in frequent over-washing, exacerbating erosion of the beach areas. A feasibility study will be completed prior to detailed planning and construction.

Project Objective: To provide sufficient shore protection to benefit the sensitive shoreline areas and the wildlife habitats adjacent to the beach areas. A wider beach can reduce storm damage to coastal structures by dissipating energy across the surf zone, protecting upland structures and infrastructure from storm surges and unusually high tides.

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State: Alabama Location: Baldwin County Title: Infrastructure Improvements at Designated Protected Areas in Coastal Alabama Project Dates: Completed Total CIAP Funding: $500,000 Project Description: The Perdido River is a 60-mile long river that defines the boundary between Alabama and Florida along nearly its entire length on its winding east – southeast course to Perdido Bay on the Gulf of Mexico. The Perdido, or “lost” River was named by the Spanish who occupied its surrounding areas until 1813. The Perdido River is considered to be the highest quality free-flowing blackwater river remaining in the southern Coastal Plain. Its corridor encompasses 120,000 acres of Alabama’s largest and most ecologically significant blackwater watershed. The goal of this project is to provide two educational kiosks and over 1,000 feet of boardwalk at Grand Bay Savanna for public education and give protected access to the ecologically important features at this site.

Project Objective: To improve public access to trailheads and approximately 5.25 miles of roads on adjacent state-owned lands along the Perdido River Corridor. The expanded, protected area provides a buffer for wildlife and other natural resources as well as providing a low impact public experience that reinforces a public stewardship ethic for the unique Alabama coastal ecosystem.

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State: California Location: Eden Landing Ecological Reserve, Hayward, CA Title: South Bay Salt Pond Restoration and Adaptive Management: Ponds E12 and 13 Project Dates: July 2009 - October 2012 Total CIAP Funding: $147,936 as part of the total project costs of $5,447,936 Project Description: The purpose of the South Bay Salt Pond (SBSP) Restoration Project is to restore a mosaic of habitats in South San Francisco Bay while providing for flood protection and wildlife-oriented public access. Within that context, the purpose of this proposed project partially funded through CIAP is the monitoring and adaptive management of the restoration of Ponds E12 and E13 within the 5,500-acre Eden Landing Ecological Reserve (Eden Landing) in Alameda County. The long-term restoration plan for these ponds is being developed through SBSP Restoration Project, a habitat restoration and enhancement plan that will be implemented over the next 30+ years. An essential component of the SBSP Restoration Project is adaptive management. This is the ability to observe and learn from habitat restoration and enhancement actions resulting in improvements to those actions while informing future actions. The SBSP Restoration Project has been planned by a collaborative team of resource managers and land owners and has included extensive education and outreach efforts for, and contributions by, the people in the surrounding communities. Complete information on the SBSP Restoration Project is available at www.southbayrestoration.org.

Project Objective: The long-term objective of the SBSP Restoration Project is to create, restore, or enhance habitats of sufficient size, function, and appropriate structures. Achieving this objective requires the restoration of tidal wetlands and the enhancement of former salt ponds to provide improved habitat for migratory birds and waterfowl. The objective of the CIAP-funded portion is to provide information for managers to act on observations of shorebird populations and behavior in a well-defined environment. Objective 1: Determine to what extent focused management of shallow-water habitats increases the densities of foraging shorebirds. Objective 2: Determine the importance of salinity to the density of foraging shorebirds and their prey. Objective 3: Identify specific pond management changes to improve habitat for foraging shorebirds. Objective 4: Identify additional applied studies that may be useful in adaptive management of habitat for foraging shorebirds.

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State: California Location: Los Angeles County Title: Will Rogers State Beach Coastline Project Project Dates: Completed Total CIAP Funding: $836,288; total project cost: $6,725,852 Project Description: The Will Rogers State Beach (WRSB) Coastline Project consist of reconstruction and reinforcement of the existing beach slope with a sea wall to protect against erosion; reconstruction of the parking lot; construction of a new view deck with an accessible pedestrian walkway to the beach; and landscaping, irrigation, and security lighting improvements. This project is necessary to provide shoreline protection along the coastal bluff and access to the beach, and to stabilize the parking lot and Pacific Coast Highway. Landscaping the coastal bluffs with native vegetation will restore and conserve the natural ecosystem native to this area. The WRSB Coastline Project addresses an immediate need to ensure public access and enjoyment of the beach and protect the long-term integrity of recreational resources, which are enjoyed by millions of the County residents and tourists who are attracted to Southern California in large part because of its coastal resources. The CIAP funding will be used for the construction costs related to building the sea wall, restoring the slopes, providing public access to the beach and stabilizing the parking lot and Pacific Coast highway.

Project Objective: To protect and restore Los Angeles County’s coastal area by restoring the slopes to provide shoreline protection along the coast, stabilizing the Pacific Coast Highway, and providing public access to this well-used County beach for both current and future visitors. Without this project, the deteriorating conditions will continue to limit public use and access of the beach, and threaten the stability of the Pacific Coast Highway.

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State: California Location: Los Osos, San Luis Obispo County Title: Elfin Forest Restoration Project Dates: 2009-2010 Total CIAP Funding: $20,000; total project cost $25,000 Project Description: This is an effort to remove invasive plants and plant native vegetation in phases. New native vegetation would be planted after invasive plants are removed, primarily during the rainy season. Weeding and watering of new vegetation would occur, at a minimum, during the spring and summer months for a minimum of two years. The California Conservation Corps (CCC) would be hired by the County to plant native vegetation, and water and weed re-vegetated areas. Elfin Forest Natural Preserve lies between the communities of Morro Bay and Los Osos on the coast of San Luis Obispo County. A mile of boardwalk circles the 90-acre preserve, providing opportunities to gaze across Morro Bay and admire nearby peaks in Morro Bay State Park. The Elfin Forest is a natural area (open space) owned by San Luis Obispo County, the California Department of Parks and Recreation (CDPR), and State Lands Commission. SLO County manages the State Lands Commission portion of the Elfin Forest through a lease agreement. The Elfin Forest is located within the coastal community of Los Osos directly adjacent to the Morro Bay Estuary and Morro Bay State Park. Roughly 30 acres of the Elfin Forest is owned and managed by San Luis Obispo County Parks Division with the help of Small Wilderness Area Preservation.

Project Objectives: Objective 1: Removing invasive plant species that are adversely impacting the native habitat, Objective 2: Planting native vegetation in areas that have been impacted by spur trails and invasive plant species, Objective 3: Installing erosion control to reduce sedimentation in the Morro Bay Estuary, Objective 4: Fencing sensitive areas of the forest to keep visitors on the existing boardwalk and designated trails, Objective 5: Data collection and monitoring the forest’s health with qualified professionals, and Objective 6: Repairing and improving public access within the forest. This would include repairing portions of the over one mile existing boardwalk and viewing platforms.