BP fine proceeds boost environmental projects in Galveston, Brazoria counties

Great egrets and other water birds parade their spring plumage at the rookery at Houston Audubon Society's Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary in High Island. The society received $239,800 in proceeds from a fine levied against BP after the 2010 Gulf oil spill to restore and enhance the sanctuary on the Bolivar Peninsula. Photo Credit: Kathy Adams Clark. Restricted use. less Great egrets and other water birds parade their spring plumage at the rookery at Houston Audubon Society's Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary in High Island. The society received $239,800 in proceeds from a fine levied ... more Photo: Kathy Adams Clark Photo: Kathy Adams Clark Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close BP fine proceeds boost environmental projects in Galveston, Brazoria counties 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

GALVESTON – More than $2.6 million from a criminal fine levied against BP for the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill has been awarded to three environmental projects in Galveston and Brazoria counties.

The money is part of $370 million announced last week by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for distribution to projects in all five Gulf states. The foundation will ultimately dedicate $2.5 billion from BP's criminal fines to restoring areas along the Gulf Coast that were harmed by the oil spill.

The three projects, two in Galveston County and one in Brazoria County, are among 29 receiving money in Texas, the foundation said in a news release.

The Houston Audubon Society received $239,800 to restore and enhance the Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary Rookery near High Island on the Bolivar Peninsula.

The Galveston Bay Foundation received $850,000 to restore and protect 500 acres of degraded wetlands and to protect 6,800 feet of shoreline from erosion in the Dollar Bay-Moses Lake complex in western Galveston Bay.

The Trust for Public Land received $1.27 million to acquire and preserve 230 acres of coastal dune and wetlands on Follets Island, a barrier island in Brazoria County southeast of Galveston Island that borders Christmas Bay.