Environmental Contaminants Program

When hazardous chemicals accidentally or deliberately enter the environment, they can produce harmful effects in all living things -- plants, wildlife, fish, and people.  Sources of contaminants affecting the natural resources of north Texas  include oil spills affecting wetland areas and dependent wildlife, past industrial discharges of contaminants such as PCBs and dioxins that continue to make fish unsafe for wildlife and human consumption, and former wide-spread use of pesticides (such as DDT -- which nearly exterminated the bald eagle -- and that remains in the environment).  The ARLES's Environmental Contaminants (EC) Program operates according to the regulations and guidelines established in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA/Superfund), Oil Pollution Act (OPA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), Clean Water Act (CWA), and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).  The goals of the ARLES's EC Program are to:

    Identify and investigate contaminant problems affecting fish, wildlife, and their habitats, and

    Prevent further losses and degradation of those resources.

The ARLES's EC Specialists fulfill these goals through activities such as conducting scientific investigations to document and remedy contaminant-related problems for fish and wildlife, monitoring long-term contaminant trends, participating in oil and chemical spill clean-ups, consulting with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to reduce impacts to federal trust resources at Superfund sites, and ensuring that polluters restore and compensate for environmental damage.  Through these actions, the Service helps to ensure a healthy environment for fish and wildlife -- and, ultimately, people as well.

Click here for some recent ARLES EC Program documents.

For more information regarding the ARLES Environmental Contaminants Program, contact us.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with
others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and
their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.

All images Credit to and Courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service unless specified otherwise.