MAY 8, 2012 — Help NOAA expand what we know about the effects of chemical dispersants on both spilled oil and the marine environment: funding for research projects is now available. The explosion and subsequent well blowout on the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig on April 20, 2010, led to the largest oil spill in United States history. The unprecedented use of chemical dispersants on and below the ocean's surface during this oil spill raised scientific, public, and political questions about both their effectiveness and their potential consequences for ecosystems and marine life in the Gulf of Mexico.

To help answer those questions, NOAA is partnering with the Coastal Response Research Center at the University of New Hampshire to fund research on dispersants and dispersed oil. The focus will be in the following areas: 1) dispersants and risk communication; 2) degradation of dispersants and dispersed oil; and 3) biological effects of dispersants and dispersed oil on surface and deep ocean species. The request for research proposals is available at the Center's website. Researchers interested in submitting a proposal need to turn in a letter of interest by May 15, 2012.

The Coastal Response Research Center was established in 2004 as a hub for oil spill research, development, and technical knowledge transfer. The Center is a partnership between the University of New Hampshire and those of us at NOAA's Office of Response and Restoration. The Center collaborates with other federal, state, and local research and development programs to promote effective protection, assessment, and restoration of coastal areas and resources. The overall goal of the Center is to reduce both the potential for, and the consequences of, spills and other hazards threatening coastal environments and communities.

Advances in science and technology relating to spills will be applied to other types of threats to coastal environments and communities, when possible. Preventing a spill is always the preferred scenario, but as long as we explore, drill, and transport oil, there will be a chance for spills. And once oil is spilled, we can no longer prevent harm from happening to the marine environment, but we can reduce that harm through a combination of response measures. With our partner at the Coastal Response Research Center, we hope to improve the science of spill response before the next oil spill happens, so that when it unfortunately does occur, we are better prepared to deal with it.

APRIL 26, 2012 -- 52.9 million. That is the disgustingly large number of cigarette butts beach cleanup volunteers have collected over the past 25 years during the International Coastal Cleanup, an annual event sponsored by the Ocean Conservancy. Consistently the number one piece of litter found, cigarette butts represent an astounding 32 percent of total debris items gathered overall at these cleanups. And that's sadly not only the case on beaches but elsewhere too. Most cigarette filters are made of a type of plastic, cellulose acetate, which doesn't biodegrade and can persist in the environment for a long time. Fish, birds, and other animals can mistake small pieces of plastic, like cigarette butts, for food. Eating them could cause cause the animal to choke or starve to death because the plastic isn't digested, filling up their stomachs. Cigarette butts contain toxins (such as heavy metals and the organic compounds nicotine and ethylphenol) and not a lot is known about how those toxins impact the environment, wildlife, and humans. However, studies show they have a negative health impact on fish. For example, according to public health non-profit Legacy®, a recent laboratory test demonstrated that one cigarette butt soaked in a liter of water was lethal to half of the fish exposed to it. In an effort to raise awareness about this common source of pollution, NOAA's Office of Response and Restoration hosted a booth at the Louisiana Earth Day environmental festival in Baton Rouge on April 22, 2012. The festival is one of the largest Earth Day events in the nation, covering several downtown blocks and attracting thousands of people. Even as the occasional smoker strolled by the booth, children crowded in for the chance to win a T-shirt by guessing as close as possible the number of cigarette butts in a large jar (1,523 gathered in only two hours!) and marvel at its grossness. Several of the kids remarked as they looked at the jar how they want their parents to stop smoking. Some of the parents and other grown-up visitors proudly announced how long it had been since they quit. One current smoker announced that his girlfriend was making him dispose of his cigarette butts responsibly, rather than tossing them on the ground. Lots of visitors had never considered the negative impacts cigarettes could cause to the marine environment. But here in this part of the country, next to the Mississippi River and not far from the Gulf of Mexico, most seemed interested in learning about the harmful implications this type of marine debris could cause their environment. The NOAA Marine Debris Program, part of the Office of Response and Restoration, is educating the public on this specific type of pollution, one that almost seems to be the "last form of acceptable litter." While most people would be horrified to see, say, some fast food litter tossed out of the car in front of them, unfortunately few of us would be as shocked to see someone throw a cigarette butt on the street. Learn more about what you can do about this problem.

APRIL 18, 2012 -- An estimated $60 million in early restoration projects soon will begin along the Gulf Coast following the nation's largest oil spill, according to the Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment Trustee Council.

"The early restoration projects will drive both ecological and economic renewal," said NOAA trustee Monica Medina, Principal Deputy Undersecretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere. "Through these and future projects, the trustees intend to build a regional restoration economy."

With finalization of the "Deepwater Horizon Phase I Early Restoration Plan & Environmental Assessment," eight restoration projects will be implemented. The projects provide for marsh creation, coastal dune habitat improvements, nearshore artificial reef creation, and oyster cultch restoration, as well as the construction and enhancement of boat ramps to compensate for lost human use of resources.

This is the first early restoration plan under the unprecedented April 2011 agreement with BP to fund $1 billion in early restoration projects in the Gulf of Mexico. Meant to address injuries to natural resources caused by the Deepwater Horizon/BP oil spill, the funding enables the trustees to begin restoration before the completion of damage assessment activities.

The $1 billion will go towards the following early restoration projects:

• Each Gulf state—Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas—will select and implement $100 million in projects;
• The Federal Resource Trustees, NOAA and the U.S. Department of the Interior, will each select and implement $100 million in projects;
• The remaining $300 million will be used for projects selected by NOAA and Department of the Interior.

"This milestone agreement will allow us to jump-start restoration projects that will bring Gulf Coast marshes, wetlands, and wildlife habitat back to health after the damage they suffered as a result of the Deepwater Horizon spill," said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar.

During what has been deemed the largest oil spill in U.S. history, NOAA's Office of Response and Restoration provided forecasts of oil movements, advised the U.S. Coast Guard on cleanup operations, produced and maintained the Common Operational Picture, and managed large volumes of data streams and assessed resources threatened by spilled oil. We continue to work with state and federal agencies to document impacts to the Gulf of Mexico's natural resources and the public's lost use of them.

AUGUST 23, 2013 -– NOAA's Office of Response and Restoration, a leader in providing scientific information in response to marine pollution, has scheduled a Science of Oil Spills (SOS) class for the week of October 28, 2013, in Falmouth, Mass.

We will accept applications for this class through Monday, September 23, and we will notify applicants regarding their participation status by Monday, September 30, 2013.

SOS classes help spill responders increase their understanding of oil spill science when analyzing spills and making risk-based decisions. They are designed for new and mid-level spill responders.

These three-and-a-half-day trainings cover:

• Fate and behavior of oil spilled in the environment.
• An introduction to oil chemistry and toxicity.
• A review of basic spill response options for open water and shorelines.
• Spill case studies.
• Principles of ecological risk assessment.
• A field trip.
• An introduction to damage assessment techniques.
• Determining cleanup endpoints.

To view the topics for the next SOS class, download a sample agenda [PDF, 117 KB].

Please be advised that classes are not filled on a first-come, first-served basis. The Office of Response and Restoration tries to diversify the participant composition to ensure a variety of perspectives and experiences to enrich the workshop for the benefit of all participants. The class will be limited to 40 participants.

Other SOS classes planned for fiscal year 2014 (beginning October 1, 2013 and ending September 30, 2014) include classes in Mobile, Ala. in the late winter/early spring and in Seattle in the summer. At this time, we are not accepting applications for classes other than the Falmouth, Mass., class.

For more information, and to learn how to apply for the class, visit the SOS Classes page.

As an intern, you will work on a variety of projects focusing on outreach and public engagement. Based at our headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland. (easily accessible on Metro's Red Line), you will be in the loop on and encouraged to attend marine policy events, lectures, conferences, and receptions that provide fantastic networking opportunities for your career development.

Position Description

OR&R faces the challenges of supporting NOAA and federal initiatives while keeping pace with Congress and constituents in support of our major programs:

• Emergency response support for 120–200 oil and chemical spills in coastal waters each year
• Natural Resource Damage Assessment and environmental restoration planning
• NOAA's Marine Debris Program
• NOAA's Disaster Response Center

OR&R works on critical environmental hazard issues, such as oil spill response, offshore drilling policy, marine debris prevention and reduction, and restoring natural resources. We are looking for motivated self-starters who enjoy independent as well as group work to join our team. The ideal candidate for this internship will possess a strong academic background and the desire to immerse him or herself in the world of marine policy and the internal workings of a federal office.

Major Responsibilities

• Assist in preparations for one-on-one meetings with key OR&R constituents and events to support OR&R programs; assist in note-taking at events and prepare debrief materials.
• Attend NGO, interagency, and Congressional events and prepare debrief materials for OR&R staff
• Assist in preparation for and execution of congressional outreach events, such as briefings, hearings, and testimonies
• Write and update biographical profiles for key members of Congress and stakeholder groups
• Track progress of key legislation and policy initiatives
• As experience permits, provide input on federal policy initiatives, including permits, administration views, and agreements
• Assist in special projects as needed that fit your interest and skill areas, including research reports, video production, or media relations

Desired Qualifications

• Interest or experience in marine policy and communications
• Strong writing and verbal communications skills
• Familiarity with MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint software
• Excellent attention to detail and a strong work ethic
• Experience researching academic literature or legislation
• Familiarity with Gmail, Google Docs, and Google Calendar

Eligibility and Compensation:

OR&R cooperates with institutions of higher learning and internship coordination programs to support students who have arranged to receive credit for their work. Interns are also expected to develop a project based on their interests and present on the project to the NOAA community. We can accommodate part- time and full-time availability. While the duration of internships can vary, most typically last at least 10 weeks. At this time, stipends are not offered. Internships are open to students age 16 and older. The NOAA Office of Security requires a background check for all interns and staff; this process will begin at the start of your internship. Non-US citizens must hold an appropriate visa and be accepted as an intern at least 45 days prior to the scheduled start date to complete additional security clearance.

To apply, email a cover letter (including dates of availability), resume and a writing sample to Policy Analyst Robin Garcia at Robin.Garcia@noaa.gov.

Application deadline is Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017

Please review the OR&R Internships page for further details on eligibility for this and other OR&R intern positions.

Recently, NOAA's Gulf of Mexico Disaster Response Center hosted the fifth and final OR&R Science of Oil Spills (SOS) workshop of 2011. The Mobile, Ala., workshop included training sessions on a wide range of oil spill response topics, as well as a field trip to nearby Dauphin Island.

Most of the more than 45 participants hailed from the Gulf of Mexico region, while others traveled from as far away as Alaska and Nigeria. Participants included representatives from the U.S. Coast Guard, state and federal agencies, and industry, as well as a Nigerian researcher investigating potential improvements to oil spill response in the Niger Delta region.

Through a mix of presentations and exercises, participants in the three and a half day course deepened their knowledge of a range of oil spill response topics, from environmental sensitivity mapping to spill trajectory prediction. This workshop activity fit well with the Disaster Response Center's objective to enhance preparedness and response in the Gulf of Mexico and highlighted the collective OR&R mission.

This most recent SOS workshop followed many other OR&R Emergency Response Division training events this year, including earlier SOS workshops in Seattle, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC; Shoreline Cleanup Assessment (SCAT) classes in various U.S. locations; short courses presented at the International Oil Spill Conference; and other training events. The next SOS workshop is scheduled for April 2012 in Seattle.