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Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment #7: Restore Wetlands, Coastal, Nearshore Habitats and Birds

Project Overview
RP/EA #7 is a critical component needed to continue restoring natural resources, habitat, and the services they provide that were injured or lost in the State of Louisiana as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010. The RP/EA recommended three projects for engineering and design funding (Bird’s Foot Delta Hydrologic Restoration, Isle au Pitre Restoration, and Terrebonne Houma Navigation Canal (HNC Island Restoration) and two projects for construction funding (Grande Cheniere Ridge Marsh Creation and Terrebonne Basin Ridge and Marsh Creation Project: Bayou Terrebonne Increment). The funding commitment totaled approximately $228M.

Project Work and Royal Solutions
The Royal team served as the lead consultant to assist CPRA and the LA TIG (the state and federal agencies charged with oversight of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill settlement dollars in Louisiana) in developing RP/EA #7. Specific tasks included screening 688 projects submitted for consideration; developing and submitting draft and final RP/EA and Biological Evaluation documents for regulatory review; compiling supporting Administrative Record (AR) documentation for the draft and final documents; and incorporating all regulatory and stakeholder comments in the draft and final documents. Due to the wide breadth of expertise and experience of our team, we also supported the permitting and informal/formal consultation processes; completed Section 508 compliance for all supporting and key documents; and drafted the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). Throughout this effort, Royal was nimble and went above and beyond to manage a fluid schedule to ensure meeting the aggressive timeline. We maintained clear communication and extensive coordination with CPRA Planning, Engineering, and Project Management Divisions and participated in meetings with the LA TIG and Small Working Groups as requested. Given our experience with similar efforts, the Royal team offered innovative approaches not only to enhance the efficiency of RP/EA #7, but also streamline the development of future RP/EAs. In close collaboration with CPRA and the LA TIG, we developed a flexible Microsoft Access database to house the ‘project universe’ to reduce both time and financial resources needed for future screenings. Our deep familiarity with the coastal program was crucial when we reviewed, edited, and standardized the ‘project universe’ for consistency. Throughout the duration of the project, we were diligent in keeping the larger team aware of potential issues in a timely manner and offering solutions to resolve them or adjustments that could be made to reduce impacts associated with changes in project design, conflicting feedback, or other unforeseen circumstances. The completion of RP/EA #7 marked a critical step needed to advance five important restoration projects.