This Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) systematically evaluates the short and long-term environmental and socioeconomic effects related to the implementation of seagrass restoration and seagrass injury prevention projects in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS). The goal of this PEIS is to describe a range of seagrass restoration techniques, used for both primary and compensatory restoration projects and seagrass injury prevention actions that potentially may be implemented in the FKNMS. The types of seagrass restoration and injury prevention projects proposed in this plan will be implemented with funds collected through natural resource damage assessment (NRDA) settlements for injuries to seagrasses within the FKNMS. The anticipated beneficial and adverse environmental and socioeconomic impacts of each restoration technique are discussed in detail.

"This document presents the results of the monitoring of a repaired seagrass area injured by the N-Control vessel grounding incident of May 29, 2001. This grounding occurred in State of Florida waters within the boundaries of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) and impacted a total of 96.87 m2 of seagrass habitat, predominantly Turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum)"--Abstract.

Relates and evaluates techniques by which propeller scars in shallow banks of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary were experimentally treated in order to advance seagrass recovery. Treatments, executed in June 2001 and tracked through May 2003, included sediment tubes, bird stakes, and/or plantings of Halodule wrightii.