The Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group is calling for public feedback on its Draft Restoration Plan 4 and Environmental Assessment, which outlines strategies for restoring fish, water column invertebrates and sea turtles affected by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

The draft plan, spanning 295 pages, is open for comment through Dec. 16 and can be accessed online as well as in local libraries and repositories.

Since the Deepwater Horizon spill, the Trustee Council has sought ideas from the public through the Gulf Spill Restoration project portal. In 2023, the Open Ocean Trustees invited residents to submit proposals focused on restoring fish and sea turtles within the Gulf's Open Ocean Restoration Area. From 87 submissions, the trustees narrowed the list to 14 alternatives — seven for fish and water column invertebrates and five for sea turtles, along with two "no action" options. These have been evaluated in the new draft plan, with Trustees recommending 10 preferred alternatives for implementation, estimated to cost a total of $210 million.

The proposed restoration projects include a range of measures aimed at reducing harm to marine life. Key initiatives involve reducing fish mortality from factors like bycatch and spawning disruptions, increasing education for commercial and recreational fishers, and protecting sea turtle nesting habitats. Data collection on fish populations and enhanced stranding and salvage operations for sea turtles are also part of the proposed efforts.

A 45-day public review period began on Oct. 30. Community members are encouraged to submit comments online, by mail or during public webinars. Two informational webinars, scheduled for Nov. 14 and Nov. 20, will provide an overview of the plan, along with a Q&A and comment session. Participants can register in advance to receive access details.

To support broader engagement, the Gulf Spill Restoration website will offer the webinar presentation translated scripts in Vietnamese and Spanish.

All public comments will be reviewed before the Trustees finalize the restoration plan. Details on how to participate in the public comment process are available at www.gulfspillrestoration.noaa.gov/2024/10/open-ocean-trustees-seek-public-comment-draft-restoration-plan-4.