Natural Resource Damage Assessment

Buffalo River Natural Resource Damage Assessment

Hudson River Natural Resource Damage Assessment

Onondaga Lake Natural Resource Damage Assessment

St. Lawrence Environmental Natural Resource Damage Assessment

The Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration (NRDAR) Program is designed to restore natural resources that have been impacted by releases of hazardous substances or oil spills.  Several laws provide the foundation for NRDAR, giving natural resource Trustees the legal authority to have those responsible for harm to natural resources pay to restore those resources. [1] Natural resource Trustees include Federal and State agencies and Indian Tribes that have the responsibility and authority to protect natural resources.

Restoring Natural Resources

To fulfill the mission of restoring natural resources that have been injured by oil spills or hazardous substance releases, the natural resource Trustees conduct a damage assessment to determine the extent of injury to natural resources caused by the hazardous substance release or oil spill. This information is used to determine the amount of restoration that is needed. Damage claims are for the cost of restoration, loss of use of the land or natural resources by the general public, and money spent to assess damages. Once the claim is resolved, the Trustees take action to restore the injured resources. Finally, the Trustees monitor the completed restoration projects to ensure success.

Settlements Negotiated by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (as part of the Department of the Interior):

Links:

NOAA Damage Assessment and Restoration Program

FWS Contaminants Home Page • FWS Contaminants Northeast Region

Environmental Contaminants

Description

Technical Assistance to EPA

Natural Resource Damage Assessment

Oil Spill Response

Refuge Support

Special Projects