Gulf of Mexico Restoration

Even before the BP Oil Spill in 2010, the Coastal & Heartland National Estuary Partnership (CHNEP) had been working to restore the water quality and fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico along the Southwest Florida coast from Venice to Bonita Springs.

Once the Spill occurred, we immediately convened partners and got to work to gather and submit restoration projects for federal funding.

View this video from the US EPA to learn more about Gulf of Mexico Restoration.

Aerial image of the Southeast region of the U.S.

Our staff served on the Lee and Charlotte RESTORE Act committees.

We also updated the FDEP state database of RESTORE projects for our region. - contacting over 100 stakeholders in the region to update information on more than 65 projects, as well as delete 18 projects that stakeholders indicated were complete or no longer viable. Keeping a current accurate inventory of projects ensures we are well-positioned when more funding does become available in our area.

Whether its assisting with the restoration funding process or implementing restoration projects, the CHNEP remains actively engaged in Gulf of Mexico restoration. To read more about how the CHNEP is helping with Gulf of Mexico Restoration, click here.