Five Years of NOAA Pollution Assessment and Restoration Accomplishments

NOAA’s Damage Assessment, Remediation, and Restoration Program (DARRP) is responsible for evaluating, restoring, and protecting our nation’s coastal and estuarine habitats harmed by hazardous waste releases, oil spills, and vessel groundings. NOAA and co-trustees work with those responsible to secure funding for restoration to compensate the public. Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) pollution settlements are used to restore robust fisheries, endangered species, coastal habitats, and outdoor recreation.

Over fiscal years 2019-2023, NOAA and co-trustees have achieved a significant number of pollution settlements; developed restoration plans with tribal, state, and federal partners; and implemented many restoration projects. These projects benefit the American public, including underserved, Indigenous and coastal communities; the blue economy; and coastal resilience. 

For more information, visit darrp.noaa.gov to learn how NOAA and our co-trustees have recovered $10.7 billion from polluters over the past 30 years to fund restoration. You can also explore our state-by-state accomplishments.

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Geographical spread of settlements achieved by NOAA and its co-trustees from 2019-2023.
Geographical spread of settlements achieved by NOAA and its co-trustees from 2019-2023. Click to enlarge and see the text description below.

Restoration Benefits

icon of humans and a water wave and droplet illustrating the theme of coastal communities

Coastal Communities

Restoring habitats and fisheries supports jobs, cultures, and economies by preserving benefits like tourism, fishing, and flood protection for future generations, including tribes and historically underserved communities impacted by pollution.

icon of a spiral illustrating the theme of hazards facing coastal communities

Coastal Resilience

Restoring habitats like wetlands, reefs, and living shorelines protects communities from storms, flooding, and sea level rise in the face of climate change.

icon of a water wave and dollar sign illustrating the theme of blue economy

Blue Economy

Restoring fish and shellfish supports sustainable resource use and provides economic benefits through recreation, tourism, blue economy jobs, coastal resilience, and increased access to nature.

Below is a quick snapshot of some of the types of restoration that we’ve recently implemented with our partners.

Wide-ranging positive impacts of DARRP’s restoration efforts over five years, highlighting the comprehensive nature of the program's work and its benefits to the public and the environment.

Wide-ranging positive impacts of DARRP’s restoration efforts over five years, highlighting the comprehensive nature
of the program's work and its benefits to the public and the environment. Click to enlarge and see the text description below.

 

Infographic Descriptions