When a disaster occurs and the NRDA process starts, early restoration is a method to get natural resources back to normal faster. It can be implemented prior to the completion of the NRDA process, which is important because NRDAs are complex and can sometimes last many years. For the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, BP provided an unprecedented $1 billion for early restoration. This represents an initial step toward fulfilling their obligation to fund the complete restoration of natural resources impacted by the spill. It is an opportunity to help restoration get started sooner. The trustees considered projects based on criteria laid out in federal and state regulations and in the agreement with BP. A series of draft early restoration plans will be developed outlining projects agreed to by the trustees and BP to be presented for public input. These draft plans will be finalized to ultimately form a Final Early Restoration Plan. The first of these plans, the Draft Phase I Early Restoration Plan describes two restoration alternatives: No Action - Natural Restoration. The No Action alternative would provide for no projects, thus allowing nature to "heal" itself; and Proposed Action - Proposed Restoration Projects. The Proposed Action alternative includes eight projects, two each in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi. The projects are intended to provide services that will benefit impacted marshes, coastal dune habitats, nearshore sediments, oysters, and human uses (such as beach-going and fishing). Your input on this plan is important so that we can begin restoration of Gulf of Mexico resources injured by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. A 60-day public comment period will be open from Dec. 15, 2011 to Feb. 14, 2012. Learn more or comment on the plan.  The long-term damage assessment will continue while early restoration planning is under way. BP and the other responsible parties ultimately will be obligated to compensate the public for the entire injury and all costs of the NRDA.