DECEMBER 4, 2015--NOAA's Office of Response and Restoration hosted a Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration (NRDAR) training session for the U.S. Navy on November 9, 2015.

The training event took place at the Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic Office, Norfolk, Virginia. The objectives of the NRDAR training was to educate the Navy as to the differences between Response and Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA), coordination between Response and NRDA, provide the Navy with a background on the applicable regulatory framework (Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980) , describe the process and methods for assessing and quantifying environmental injuries, explain methods for pursuing NRDA claims and settlements, and educate the Navy on how to evaluate and scale restoration alternatives, including overseeing and/or implementing the restoration plan.

The training was a combination of face-to-face meetings and a webinar. In total, there were approximately 40 individuals from the U.S. Navy who attended the training, representing on-scene coordinators, research and development experts, headquarters staff, regional staff, etc., located both here in the United States and internationally. Kate Barfield, from Office of General Counsel, Simeon Hahn, of OR&R’s Assessment and Restoration Division, Rich Takacs, of the National Marine Fisheries Service's Restoration Center, Frank Csulak, of OR&R’s Emergency Response Division, and Craig Giggleman, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), all participated in providing the NRDAR training.

The NOAA Team emphasized why the NRDAR Trustees need to coordinate and cooperate with one another during an assessment, how the Navy could be a Potentially Responsible Party, how they could be the Lead Agent for Cleanup, and how they could also be a Trustee for natural resources. NOAA also emphasized to the Navy the mutual goals of NOAA, FWS, and the Navy working together cooperatively on cleanup decisions; working together as Trustees when appropriate; working cooperatively in the environmental injury assessment process; and most of all, encouraging effective communication and understanding.

For additional information, please contact Frank.Csulak@noaa.gov.

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