Restoration of oyster beds, marshes, dunes and nearshore reefs damaged by the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico are among the first set of projects proposed today for funding under the $1 billion BP agreed to set aside for early restoration projects.

Pelicans nesting on oily shoreline behind containment booms in Barataria Bay, Louisiana, June 6, 2010. [Greenpeace USA]

The Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment Trustees Wednesday made available for public comment their selection of eight projects worth more than $57 million - two in each of four Gulf Coast states.

"We know that this is just a beginning of what will be an important process to ensure that those responsible for the spill are held fully accountable, and this is a solid start to our restoration efforts," said Interior Secretary Ken Salazar in New Orleans.

Salazar was touring the P&J oyster company, a family-owned business that has been harvesting oysters in New Orleans? French Quarter for 130 years.

"By restoring oyster beds, we are ensuring a way of life continues along the Gulf Coast and bolstering the local economy that was hard hit by the Deepwater Horizon spill," Salazar said.

The BP early restoration agreement, the largest of its kind ever reached, represents a first step toward fulfilling BP's obligation to fund the complete restoration of injured public resources, including the loss of use of those resources by the people living, working and visiting the area.

The agreement does not affect the ultimate liability of BP or any other entity for natural resource damages or other liabilities, but provides an opportunity to help restoration get started sooner.