States
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, WyomingThe U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) works to protect endangered and threatened species, migratory birds, certain fishes, other natural resources (including national wildlife refuges) and the benefits they provide, such as recreational opportunities. Oil spills and hazardous substance releases threaten millions of miles of coastline, rivers, lakes, and land, along with the species that depend on them. Managing these risks is becoming more complex. While major spills like the 1989 Exxon Valdez and 2010 Deepwater Horizon are well known, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates about 70 smaller oil spills occur every day in the United States. The federal government also receives reports about 12 hazardous substance releases daily, some large enough to harm human health or the environment and become Superfund sites. Others are legacy contamination with little cleanup effort.
When spills harm fish, wildlife, or habitats, our Environmental Response and Restoration specialists work with other agencies to reduce negative impacts. We support the EPA for inland spills and the U.S. Coast Guard for coastal spills by advising on wildlife protection during response and remediation activities.
During active spills, specialists use methods to keep wildlife, especially birds, away from contaminated areas. They also help rescue of oiled wildlife for rehabilitation, when possible. Their knowledge of local resources and sensitive areas helps prioritize response actions, especially when wetlands, refuge lands, endangered and threatened species, migratory birds, or their habitats are at risk.
Although we respond to emergencies, most of our work focuses on planning and preparedness. We conduct ecological risk assessments to identify vulnerable species and habitats, develop best management practices to protect species and habitats, and share information with partners to reduce uncertainty during a response. We also complete specialized training and participate in spill exercises to strengthen our skills and coordination.
The Service is a trusted partner in reducing the impacts of oil spills and hazardous substance releases to natural resources and the benefits they provide.
