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��rr FWS Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Response
Conserving the Nature of America
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By State Nesting terns. Credit: Drew Wirwa, USFWS
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• What You Can Do http://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com/go/site/2931 /
Department of the Interior: httr)://www.doi.gov/
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/
National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office -- New Orleans/Baton Rouge:
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lix/
U.S. Environmental Proection Agency: http_//www.er)a.aov/
Social Media:
• U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service -- http:Htwitter.com/USFWSHQ
• Deepwater Horizon JIC - http //twitte_ r.com/Oil�Spil-1-2010/
• Southeast -- http-//twitter.com/USFWSSoutheast
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Wildlife-Service/28248315774
Last updated: May 10, 2010
httn://www.fws.gov/home/dhoilsnill/general.html 5/11/2010
National Wildlife Refugesin the Gulf Region
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Effects of Oil on Wildlife and Habitat
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service is the federal
agency responsible for
many of the nation's fish
and wildlife resources
and one of the primary
trustees for Fish, wildlife
and habitat at oil spills.
The Service is actively involved
in response efforts related to the
Deepwater Horizon oil spill that
occurred in the Gulf of Mexico on April
20, 2010. Many species of wildlife,
including some that are threatened or
endangered, live along the Gulf Coast
and could be impacted by the spill.
Oil spills affect wildlife and their
habitats in many* ways. The severity
of the injury depends on the type and
quantity of oil spilled, the season and
weather, the type of shoreline, and the
type of waves and tidal energy in the
area of the spill.
Oil can be categorized into five groups,
ranging from very light to very heavy
oils. Most oil has a density less than
water, so it floats. Oil tends to spread
into a thin layer on the water surface
as a sheen. Once in the water, oil
undergoes weathering, a process that
describes the physical, chemical, and
biological changes that occur when oil
interacts with the environment.
Weathering reduces the more toxic
elements in oil products over time as
exposure to air, sunlight, wave and
tidal action, and certain microscopic
organisms degrades and/or disperses
oil. Weathering rates depend on
factors such as type of oil, weather,
temperature, and the type of shoreline
and bottom that occur* in the spill area.
Types of Oil
Although there are different types of
oil, the oil involved in the Deepwater
Horizon spill is classified as light crude.
Light crude is moderately volatile and
can leave a residue of up to one third of
the amount spilled after several days.
It leaves a film on intertidal resources
and has the potential to cause long-
term contamination.
Impacts to Wildlife and Habitat
Oil causes harm to wildlife through
physical contact, ingestion, inhalation
and absorption. Floating oil can
contaminate plankton, which includes
algae, fish eggs, and the larvae of
various invertebrates. Fish feeding
on these organisms can subsequently
become contaminated through
ingestion of contaminated prey or
by direct toxic effects of oil. Larger
animals in the food chain, including
humans, can consume contaminated
organisms as they feed on these fish.
Although oil causes immediate effects
throughout the entire spill area,
it is the external effects of oil on
larger wildlife species that are often
immediately apparent.
Birds and Mammals
Birds such as brown pelicans are likely
to be exposed to oil as they float on the
water's surface. Oiled birds can lose the
ability to fly, dive for food or float on the
water which could lead to drowning. Oil
interferes with the water repellency of
feathers and can cause hypothermia in
the right conditions.
As birds groom themselves, they
can ingest and inhale the oil on their
bodies. while ingestion can kill animals
immediately, more often it results in
lung, liver, and kidney damage which
can lead to death.
140
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T�
r
Sea turtles such as loggerheads and
leatherbacks could be impacted as they
swim to shore for nesting activities.
Bird and turtle nest eggs may be
damaged if an oiled adult lies on the
nest.
Scavengers such as bald eagles, gulls,
raccoons, and skunks are also exposed
to oil by feeding on carcasses of
contaminated fish and wildlife.
Long-term effects on birds and marine
mammals are less understood, but,
oil ingestion has been shown to cause
suppression to the immune system,
organ damage, skin irritation and
ulceration, and behavioral changes.
Damage to the immune system can
lead to secondary infections that
cause death and behavioral changes
may affect an animal's ability to find
food or avoid predators. Long-term
consequences can include impaired
reproduction potentially impacting
population levels.
Oil can be toxic to shellfish including
bottom dwelling (lobsters, crabs, etc.)
and intertidal (clams, oysters, etc.)
species. The bottom dwelling species
may be particularly vulnerable when oil
becomes highly concentrated along the
shoreline. Some can survive exposure,
but may accumulate high levels of
contaminants in their bodies that can
be passed on to predators.
Fish
Fish can be impacted directly through
uptake by the gills, ingestion of oil or
oiled preY, effects on eggs and larval
survival, or changes in the ecosystem
that support the fish. Adult fish may
experience reduced growth, enlarged
livers, changes in heart and respiration
rates, fin erosion, and reproductive
impairment when exposed to oil. Oil
has the potential to impact spawning
success as eggs and larvae of many
fish species are highly sensitive to oil
toxins.
Pl av t.
Marine algae and seaweed responds
variably to oil, and oil spills may result
in die -offs for some species. Algae
may die or become more abundant in
response to oil spills. Although oil can
prevent the germination and growth of
marine plants, most vegetation appears
to recover after cleanup.
Habitat
Oil has the potential to persist in the
environment long after a spill event and
has been detected in sediment 30 ,years
after a spill. On sandy beaches, oil can
sink deep into the sediments. In tidal
flats and salt marshes, oil may seep
into the muddy bottoms. Effects of oil
in these systems have the potential
to have long-term impacts on fish and
Wildlife populations.
The Service responds to oil spills to
minimize impacts to trust resources.
The Service's work continues long
after -a spill event occurs. Damage
assessments of habitat and wildlife
are conducted to find ways that will
minimize long-term effects on new
generations of wildlife.
Hotlines
For media: Joint Information Center:
985/902 5231 and 985/902 5240
To report claims related to damages:
800/440 0858
To volunteer: 866/488 5816
To report oiled or injured wildlife:
866/5571401
On the web
The USCG Joint I ncidev.t (70,rnma-nd:
http://www.deepwaterhorizoni-esponse.
com/go/site/2931/
Departs-te t, ofthe Pnterior.-
http://www.doi.gov
U.S. Fish. av,d Wildlife Service:
http://w-virw.Avs.gov/home/dhoilspill
http://w-vvw twitter:
comUSFWSSoutheast/
Tweets related to oil spill under
h-ashtag #oilspill
http://`tutvi.t fa,cebook.con--pages/
tl,,';-Fish-a,ttd-Wildlife-Se-i-vicL/° 82148
1577.E
May 2010
Key West
Nattonal Wildlife Refuge
Anne Morkill, Project Leader
Key West NWR
(managed as a satellite of National
Key Deer Refuge)
c/o National Key Deer Refuge
179 Key Deer Boulevard
Big Pine Key Plaza
Big Pine Key, FL 33043
Phone: 305/872 2239
Fax: 305/872 3675
E-mail: keydeer@fws.gov
Refuge Facts
■ Established: 1908.
■ Acres: 189,497 owned, 10-4 managed
for the U.S. Coast Guard (all 2,019
are designated Wilderness), 206,289
acres of marine waters managed
with the state of Florida.
■ Located:Monroe County, FL.
■ The uplands portion of Key West
NWR is on unpopulated islands,
west of Key West, FL.
■ The refuge is located 140
miles southwest of Miami and
immediately `vest of Key West, FL.
It is accessible only by boat.
■ Administered by National Key
Deer Refuge.
Natural History
■ Refuge includes mostly mangrove
islands, with a few sandy beaches
and dunes that are critical nesting
habitat for endangered sea turtles.
■ Other habitat includes saltmar•sh
and coastal berm hammocks,
plus sea grass and coral reef
communities.
■ Refuge, along with the Great White
Heron Refuge, represents the
last of the offshore (and raccoon -
free) islands in the lower Florida
Keys available as critical nesting,
roosting, wading and loafing habitat
to over 250 avian species --
particularily wading birds.
■ The area managed is
overwhelmingly (99 percent)
marine environment including
large sand flats surrounding the
islands that are used extensively by
foraging wading birds.
Financial Impact of Refuge
■ Refuge has no dedicated personnel.
It is managed as a satellite of NKDR.
■ No quantitative data is available
for public use of the refuge. It
is estimated that 180,000 people
use the managed waters of the
h'WNWR.
■ Analyses of generated income for
the Florida Keys Refuges only take
into account the number of people
that visit the headquarters on Rig
Pine Key a fraction of the people
that cross into the boundaries of
all four refuges. Current estimate
is: resident and non-resident
visitors generated $2.1 million in
expenditures in FY 94.
Refuge Objectives
■ To manage as a preserve and
breeding ground for native birds
and other wildlife.
■ Provide habitat and protection for
endangered and threatened fish,
wildlife, plants and migratory birds.
■ Protect the character of the
designated wilderness.
■ Provide opportunities for
environmental education and public
viewing of refuge wildlife and
habitats.
Management Tools
■ Mechanical/chemical control of
invasive exotic plants.
■ Interpretation/education.
■ Routine wildlife monitoring.
■ Law enforcement.
■ Partnerships, both locally and
nationally.
Public Use Opportunities
■ Fishing.
■ Wildlife observation.
■ Environmental education.
■ Photography.
Calendar of Events
April: Volunteer Recognition
Ceremony, National Wildlife Week.
May: Migratory Bird Day.
August: refuge birthday.
October: National Wildlife Refuge
Week.
Questions and Answers
What isl..a.nd s are open fog• public use?
Two of the Key West NWR islands
have portions of their beaches closed
to the public. Portions of Woman Key
and Boca Grande Key are posted as
closed for the sensitive habitat they
contain.
The remainder of the beaches,
including those at the Marquesas
Keys, are open during daylight hours
for compatible, wildlife -oriented
recreational uses such as wildlife
observation, nature photography and
environmental education. Camping is
not allowed on refuge lands.
Ho iv do I get to Key West NWR ?
Access is by boat only, personal,
rental or guided. There are many
commercial outfitters in Key West
that offer trips to the refuge. One
ecotour business has a permit to land
on Woman Key.
What public uses ocatt-t it ith, rt the
j..E, ft lge l
The waters around the islands and
flats are prime locations for fishing,
snorkeling, and wildife viewing. The
coral reef is a prime snorkeling,
diving and fishing area. People travel
from all over the world to visit this
area. However; due to limited FWS
presence within the boundaries of the
refuge, it is felt that many visitors
leave without knowing that they were
within a national wildlife refuge.
Great White Heron
0 0 National Wt1dafe Refuge
Anne Morkill, Project Leader
Great White Heron NWR
(managed as a satellite of National
Key Deer Refuge)
c/o National Key Deer Refuge
179 Key Deer Boulevard
Big Pine Key Plaza
Big Pine Key, FL 33043
Phone: 305/872 2239
Fax: 305/872 3675
E-mail: keydeer@fws.gov
Refuge Facts
■ Established:1938.
■ Acres: 123,980 owned (1,900 are
designated Wilderness), 186,287
acres of marine waters managed
with the state of Florida.
■ Located in Monroe County, FL.
■ The uplands portion of
GWHNWR are all on
unpopulated islands, on the north
side of the lower Florida Keys
bordering the Gulf of Mexico, in
an area called "the Backcountry."
It stretches from north of
Marathon (90 miles SW of Miami)
to north of Key West, FL (130
miles SW of Miami).
■ Accessible only by boat.
■ Administered by National Key
Deer Refuge.
Natural History
■ Refuge includes mostly
mangrove islands and wetlands,
with a few sandy beaches and
dunes that are critical nesting
habitat for endangered
sea turtles.
■ Refuge, along with the Key West
NWR, represents the last of the
off -shore (and raccoon free)
islands in the Lower Florida
Keys available as critical nesting,
roosting, wading, and loafing
habitat for over 250 avian species
— particularily wading birds.
■ The area managed is
overwhelmingly (96 percent)
marine environment including
large sand flats surrounding the
islands that are used extensively
by foraging wading birds,
significant seagrass meadows,
patch coral reefs, and coastal
mangrove communities.
Financial Impact of Refuge
■ Refuge has no dedicated
personnel. It is managed as a
satellite of NKDR.
■ Analyses of generated income for
the Florida Keys Refuges only
take into account the number of
people that visit the headquarters
on Big Pine Key a fraction of
the people that cross into the
boundaries of all four refuges.
Current estimate is: resident and
non-resident visitors generated
$2.1 million in expenditures in
FY 94.
■ No quantitive data is available for
public use on the refuge. It is
estimated that 12,000 people use
the managed waters of the
GWHNWR each year.
Refuge Objectives
■ To manage as a refuge and
breeding ground for great white
herons, other migratory birds
and other wildlife.
■ To manage as an inviolate
sanctuary, or other management
purpose, for migratory birds.
■ Provide habitat and protection
for endangered and threatened
fish, wildlife, plants, and
migratory birds.
■ Protect the character of the
designated wilderness.
■ Provide opportunities for
environmental education and
public viewing of refuge wildlife
and habitats.
Management Tools
■ Mechanical and chemical control
of invasive exotic plants.
■ Interpretation/education.
■ Routine wildlife monitoring.
■ Law enforcement.
■ Partnerships.
Public Use Opportunities
■ Fishing.
■ Wildlife observation.
■ Photography.
■ Environmental education.
Calendar of Events
April: Volunteer Recognition
Ceremony, National Wildlife Week.
May: Migratory Bird Day.
October: National Wildlife Refuge
Week, refuge birthday.
Questions and Answers
Where is the GWHNWR ?
The refuge consists of a 300 square
mile area of water and unpopulated
islands that lie on the north side of
the main chain of the Lower Florida
Keys, between Marathon and Key
West. Additional refuge lands are
found on the main chain of Lower
Keys.
How do I get to the GWHNWR ?
There are no bridges to the offshore
islands. Access to most of the refuge
is by boat only personal, rental or
guided. The refuge's establishing
authority prohibits access to most
back ountry island,s although some
refuge managed and state owned/
refuge managed islands are open for
public access during daylight hours.
Camping is not permitted on the
islands. Also, the refuge manages
lands on Upper Sugarloaf and Lower
Sugarloaf Keys and can be driven to.
Access onto the refuge lands is by
foot on old access roads.
What islands are open
for public use?
All of the refuge managed islands
within the GWHNWR are closed in
accordance with the Executive Order
that established it in 1938. There are
some state-owned lands that are
managed by the FWS where public
use is allowed during daylight hours.
National Key Deer
Rfugee
Anne Morkill, Project Leader
National Key Deer Refuge
179 Key Deer Boulevard
Big Pine Key Plaza
Big Pine Key, FL 33043
Phone: 305/872 2239
Fax: 305/872 2154
E-mail: keydeer@fws.gov
http-.//nationalkeydeer.fws.gov
Refuge Facts
■ Established:1957.
■ Acres: 84,351 owned, 2,278 of
which are designated Wilderness.
■ Located in: Monroe County, FL.
■ Location: The refuge is located
100 miles southwest of Miami and
30 miles northeast of Key West,
FL along U.S.#1. Headquarters
is on Big Pine Key in the Big Pine
Key Plaza off Key Deer Boulevard.
■ Other management: 700 acres
through the State CARL
program, 200 acres owned by the
Monroe County Land Authority.
■ About a third of the uplands
portion of NKDR is on Big Pine
and No Name Keys.
■ Satellite refuges administered as
part of the complex include:
Crocodile Lake NWR, Great
White Heron NWR and Key
West NWR.
Natural History
■ Refuge covers the truncated
historical range of the
endangered Key deer, including
habitat critical to its survival.
■ Refuge is home to the imperiled
tropical hardwood hammock
habitat and 22 federally listed
endangered and threatened
species of plants and animals, five
of which are found nowhere else
in the world.
■ Upland forests 2,400 acres; shrub
wetland 5,100 acres; wetland
marsh 1,050 acres.
■ Key deer population may have
reached a low of 27 in 1957 and
have rebounded to approximately
800 today.
Financial Impact of Refuge
■ 13-person staff.
m More than 90,000 visitors annually.
■ Current budget (FY 05)
$170419000.
Refuge Objectives
■ Protect and preserve Key deer
and other wildlife resources in
the Florida Keys.
■ Conserve endangered and
threatened fish, wildlife and
plants.
■ Provide habitat and protection
for migratory birds.
■ Provide opportunities for
environmental education and
public viewing of refuge wildlife
and habitats.
Management Tools
■ Deer management as an
endangered species, including
medical and rehabilitation,
habitat restoration and
enhancement, routine herd health
monitoring and population
checks, and research on
population density, behavior and
migration patterns.
■ Prescribed fire.
■ Routine wildlife monitoring.
■ Habitat restoration.
■ Mechanical and chemical control
of invasive exotic plants.
■ E ducation/interpretation.
■ Law enforcement.
■ Partnerships, both locally
and nationally.
■ Volunteer assistance with
projects and programs.
■ Friends group -Friends and
Volunteers of Refuges (FAVOR).
Public Use Opportunities
■ Trails.
m Wildlife observation.
■ Photography.
■ Environmental education.
Calendar of Events
April: Volunteer Recognition
Ceremony, National Wildlife Week,
Earth Day.
April -May: Key deer fawning season.
May: Migratory Bird Day.
August: refuge birthday.
October: National Wildlife
Refuge Week. Florida Keys Birding
and Wildlife Festival.
Questions and Answers
Where can I see the deer?
The Key deer are a wild species, and
are not confined to Refuge lands.
They are visible throughout Big Pine
and No Name Keys, and are
scattered on surrounding islands.
They are most active at dusk and
dawn and remain in the confines of
the cool pine rocklands during the
heat of the day. Unfortunately, due to
illegal feeding, Key deer can be found
foraging on the sides of most roads
and eagerly approach slow moving
vehicles for hand-outs. Roadside
feeding kills Key deer as it draws
them to hazardous roadways, and
concentrates populations facilitating
the spread of parasites and disease.
How many deer are there?
The last scientific study of the Key
deer, part of a 3-year study, was
completed in 2000 at which time the
entire population of the Key deer is
estimated to between 700 and 800.
The population on Big Pine Key and
No Name Key is estimated to be 600
with another 100 to 200 on other
Lower Keys and Backcountry islands.
How big are the Key deer?
The Key deer are the smallest of the
28 subspecies of Virginia white-tailed
deer. Bucks range from 28-32" at the
shoulder and weigh an average of 80
lbs. Does stand 24-28" at the shoulder
and weigh an average of 65 lbs.
Why are the Key deer endangered?
Low population numbers,
development pressures, habitat loss,
and threats from hurricanes have all
been important in the listing of this
species as endangered. Currently,
illegal roadside feeding contributes to
road kills which account for 70
percent of the annual mortality.
What is the range of the Key deer?
In 1922, Barber and Allen reported
the range of the deer to be Duck Key
to Key West (60 linear miles). They
are now isolated to a 6-mile area with
most of the population on
Big Pine Key.
Where are the Blue Hole and the
Nature Trails?
Central on Big Pine Key is an old
quarry, filled with freshwater, and
home to a diverse array of wildlife
the Blue Hole. The Blue Hole has
visitor facilities including an
interpretive kiosk, staffed by
volunteers, and an observation
platform. It is a popular look -out spot
for visitors to Big Pine Key. Just
north of the Blue Hole are two
interpretive nature trails: one
penetrating the tropical hardwood
hammock, the other a wheelchair
accessible journey through pine
rocklands to a freshwater
wetland slough.
Crocodile Lake
National Wildlife Refuge
Vim• .
Steve Klett, Refuge Manager
rprocoulle Ewe NWR
(managed as a staffed satellite of
National Key Deer Refuge)
P.O. Box 370
Key Largo, FL 33037
Phone: 305/451 4223
Fax: 305/453 4151
E-mail:
FW4RWCrocodileLake@fws.gov
Refuge Facts
■ Established: 1980.
■ Acres:6,600.
■ Located in: Monroe County, FL.
■ Refuge covers significant portion
of north Key Largo, FL.
■ Location: The refuge is located in
north Key Largo, less than 40
miles south of Miami off SR 905
(Card Sound Road).
■ Administered by National Key
Deer Refuge.
Natural History
■ Refuge includes disturbed man-
made channels.
■ Upland portions include the last
stands of high tropical hardwood
hammock and are critical habitat
to Key Largo woodrat and cotton
mouse and the only federally
listed endangered insect in
Florida: Schaus' swallowtail
butterfly.
■ Estimated acreage: upland
hammock 1,805 acres; mangrove
forests 4,213 acres; open water
668 acres.
Financial Impact of Refuge
■ Refuge received one staff
member in 1997, prior years it
was unstaffed and managed as a
satellite of National Key Deer
Refuge (NKDR).
■ The refuge is currently closed to
general public use.
■ FY 05 budget for National Key
Deer Refuge and satellite
refuges: $1,041,000.
Refuge Objectives
■ To provide habitat and protection
for Federally listed threatened
and endangered species.
■ Provide habitat and protection
for migratory birds.
■ Protection of the globally
endangered tropical hardwood
hammock plant community.
■ Provide future opportunities for
environmental education and
public viewing of refuge wildlife
and habitats.
Management Tools
■ Mechanical/chemical control of
invasive exotic plants.
■ Interpretation/education.
■ Routine wildlife monitoring.
■ Law enforcement.
■ Partnerships, both locally and
nationally.
■ Volunteer assistance with
projects and programs.
■ Friends group -Friends and
Volunteers of Refuges (FAVOR).
Calendar of Events
March -October: American crocodile
breeding season.
April: National Wildlife Week.
April -July: Schaus' swallowtail
season.
May: Migratory Bird Day.
October: National Wildlife Refuge
Week.
Questions and Answers
Where is the refuge?
The refuge is in north Key Largo,
FL, off Card Sound Road, on the Gulf
side.
What is the difference between
alligators and crocodiles?
Alligators and crocodiles are the two
native north American crocodilian
species in the U.S.. Crocodiles inhabit
salt or brackish water, and alligators
prefer freshwater. American
crocodiles have a long, tapering, v-
shaped snout —opposed to the u-
shaped snout of the alligator. Also,
crocs have a distinguishing fourth
tooth that protrudes prominently
outside of the lower jaw when closed.
The largest American crocodile was
15 feet, but they are routinely found
at lengths of 8 to 12 feet.
Are crocodiles dangerous?
The stories of man-eating crocodiles
don't originate from the United
States. New world crocodiles are
timid reptiles and are especially wary
of people. Female crocs are known to
completely abandon their nests after
just a single disturbance. For these
reasons the crocodile habitats are
completely closed to public access,
except for the scientists studying
their population and behavior.
Can we see a crocodile?
The refuge is closed to public access,
and it is difficult to see a crocodile
from the roads bordering the refuge.
Crocodiles may be seen at nearby
Everglades National Park.
Why is the refuge closed to the
public?
Crocodile Lake NWR is closed to
general public use due to its small
size and the sensitivity of the habitats
and wildlife to human disturbance.
Access to the refuge is by Special Use
Permit only. The six federally
endangered and threatened species
indigenous to the refuge are highly
susceptible to noise disturbance. The
habitats they rely on for their
survival can be adversely impacted
by human traffic. The refuge staff are
studying ways of providing for public
use that are compatible with the
refuge's primary purpose. This may
include a wildlife observation
platform, hardwood forest boardwalk
and roadside butterfly meadows.
The Natural Resource Damage
and Restoration Program
�i
The Programs Origin
Hazardous substances are a constant
threat to our fish, wildlife, and other
natural resources. As a result of
concern over the influx of contaminants
into the environment, and a wish to
ensure that the responsible parties
not the taxpayers, —pay for the cleanup
and restoration, Congress passed
the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act of 1980 (also known as
CE RCLA or "Superfund"), the Clean
Water Act, and the Oil Pollution Act
of 1990. These three laws provide
trustees the authority to carry out
the responsibilities of the Restoration
Program.
Entrusting Our Natural Resources
As the Nation's principal conservation
agency, the Department of the Interior
is trustee for most: of our nationally
owned public lands and natural
resources.
These include lands such as National
Parks, National Wildlife Refuges,
and lands managed by the Bureau of
Land Management; Indian lands and
natural resources held in trust by the
Federal government; waters managed
by the Bureau of Reclamation; and,
Federally protected plants and animals
Assessment
such as endangered species, migratory
birds, and wild horses and burros.
The agencies ,% ithin the Department
responsible for the management
of trust resources are the Fish and
Wildlife Service, Bureau of Indian
Affairs, Bureau of Land Management,
Bureau of Reclamation, and National
Park Service.
Other Federal agencies with trust
responsibilities for our Nation's
natural resources include the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA), U.S. Forest
Service, Department of Defense,
and Department of Energy. Like the
Department of Interior, they have
responsibility for certain lands, waters,
and other specified trust resources and
most have active restoration programs.
States and Indian Tribes also are
trustees with the authority to conduct
damage assessments and restoration
activities on their own behalf. When
there is overlapping trusteeship,
trustees benefit from working together.
Restoring The Resources
To fulfill the mission of restoring
natural resources that have been
injured by oil spills or hazardous
substance releases, several steps must
be taken.
Generally, the process works like this:
0 Oil is spilled or a hazardous material
is released into the environment.
Many of these incidents involve
discharges into bodies of water —
oceans, lakes, and rivers --where
the oil or hazardous material has the
potential to spread far beyond the
original source.
N The source of the discharge is
contained by the Coast Guard, the
Environmental Protection Agency, a
State agency, 9 and/or the responsible
party.
0 The oil or hazardous material is
cleaned up. This can be a fairly
straightforward process for a small
oil spill where the contained oil can
be skimmed off the surface of the
water. It can be very complicated
when dealing with old mine wastes
or hazardous chemicals which have
been absorbed into the soil and are
contaminating p-oundwater and
surface water.
N Natural resource trustees determine
the magnitude of the injuries to
natural resources. This can begin
during the response and cleanup
or afterwards. Generally, however,
it cannot be finished until after the
cleanup is completed because the
full extent of the injuries cannot be
determined until then.
0 The trustees contact the responsible
parties and attempt to reach a
settlement for the cost of the
restoration, for the loss of the use
of the land or resources to the
general public, and for the money
the trustees spent to assess the
damages. When the responsible
parties agree to do the restoration
work themselves, money for
restoration is not collected by the
trustees. This is called in -kind work.
0 If a negotiated settlement cannot be
reached, the trustees can take the
responsible parties to court. Most
cases are settled out of court.
M When a settlement is reached,
a restoration plan is developed
with public input that specifies the
actions necessary to restore the
injured resources. These actions can
be carried out on the lands where
the contamination occurred or at an
alternate site which, when restored,
provides a suitable replacement
for the injured or lost resources.
Sometimes the responsible party
donates land to be restored and
protected.
E The trustees monitor the restoration
projects to assure they continue
to be properly operated and to
ensure the long-term success of the
restoration.
Benefiting the Public
The primary benefit of the Restoration
Program is that injured natural
resources can be restored at no cost
to the American taxpayers. Instead,
the parties responsible for the injuries
pay for the restoration. Because of this
program, people across the country
enjoy rivers and lands that are once
again healthy and teeming with fish and
wildlife, and public places that are safe
for recreation and other uses. Through
the dedication of the Department, and
the many other agencies, organizations
and individuals committed to caring
for the environment, we are making
progress toward a cleaner, healthier
environment for all living things.
For more information about the
Natural Resource Damage Assessment
and Restoration Program, go to:
http://www.N-rs.gov/contaminants/.
May 2010