04/27/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/27/2022 14:21
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) hosted the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (RESTORE Council) Executive Director in Apalachicola, the location of the recently completed RESTORE Council-selected Apalachicola Bay Oyster Restoration project. This visit is part of a tour of RESTORE Council funded restoration projects across the Gulf Coast as the Council prepares to update its Comprehensive Plan for Restoring the Gulf Coast's Ecosystem and Economy. A draft of the plan was released for public comment on April 21, 2022.
The Florida-sponsored Apalachicola Bay Oyster Restoration project has contributed to substantive efforts to restore oyster reefs within Apalachicola Bay by placing substrate or "cultch" in bays where natural oyster reproduction occurs. The project, which builds upon prior investments with Deepwater Horizon Natural Resources Damage Assessment funds, placed over 50,000 cubic yards of suitable oyster reef substrate at 14 sites within the bay. FDEP, the project sponsor, has monitored results over time, demonstrating that the project has increased oyster reef habitat, improved capacity of oysters to filter nutrients and other contaminants from water, reduced shoreline erosion, and a generated number of other ecological benefits including the protection of healthy, diverse and sustainable living coastal marine resources.
"The work of the RESTORE Council is vital for protecting, conserving and restoring the Gulf's natural resources," said Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Shawn Hamilton. "Projects like Apalachicola Bay Oyster Restoration are examples of the important steps Florida has taken to protect and restore the diverse, productive, and economically important Apalachicola River and Bay."
Apalachicola Bay Oyster Restoration Project Background
The Apalachicola Bay Oyster Restoration project has contributed to substantive efforts to restore oyster reefs within Apalachicola Bay by placing substrate or "cultch" in bays where natural oyster reproduction occurs.
This Florida-sponsored project included placing approximately 50,260 cubic yards of suitable oyster reef substrate at 14 sites within the bay using barges and high-pressure water. The planted areas were monitored through sampling and analysis of oyster size and density at each restoration site. Additionally, a side-scan sonar mapping tool was utilized to monitor changes in cultched reef areas over time.
Ecological benefits associated with the project include increased fishery and wildlife habitat; increased biodiversity and trophic dynamics; increased filtering capacity to improve water quality and recycle nutrients; increased structural stability to reduce shoreline erosion and to protect near-shore resources; and the protection of healthy, diverse and sustainable living coastal marine resources.
The project aimed to expand subtidal oyster restoration in Apalachicola Bay by expanding on the Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment Early Restoration Florida Oyster Cultch Placement project.
Other RESTORE Council-Selected Restoration Component's restoration projects in the Apalachicola Watershed include Apalachicola Watershed Agriculture Water Quality Improvements, Apalachicola Regional Restoration Initiative, and Money Bayou Wetlands Restoration.
RESTORE Council Background
As funds become available, the RESTORE Council works collaboratively and with input from stakeholders across the Gulf to develop Funded Priorities Lists (FPLs), which designate ecosystem projects and programs for funding. FPL funding decisions are guided by criteria set forth in the RESTORE Act and the Council's Comprehensive Plan for Restoration. In addition, the RESTORE Council oversees funding for State-led restoration and recovery efforts provided in State Expenditure Plans (SEPs) developed under the RESTORE Act. After FPLs and SEPs are approved, funding is administered through federal awards to the sponsors identified to implement the approved activities.
As of December 31, 2021, the Council has approved approx. $1.3B in projects and programs benefiting the Gulf of Mexico, and has over half a $Billion ($534M) of work underway or completed. Early results include acquisition of almost 8,000 acres of land, restoration of over 8,400 acres of wetland and non-wetland habitat; improved management practices on over 36,000 acres and more than 350 people enrolled to implement best management practices; and over 4,600 people reached through training, outreach, and technical assistance. These are just a portion of the metrics being tracked by the Council and are provided to highlight some of the progress being made to improve the health and productivity of the Gulf ecosystem.