Environmental Contaminants
Program Overview
The Environmental Contaminants Program provides technical assistance
to various Service programs, other agencies and the public.
For example:
- We investigate environmental contaminant issues
in species and habitats managed by the Service. In Alaska, these
investigations include the study of contaminants in declining species,
assessing the presence and effects of bioaccumulative compounds
in predatory species,
and evaluating contaminants in Service-managed species commonly
used for subsistence.
- We provide technical support to the Endangered Species
Program on contaminant issues that may affect listed species and
their habitats, including the evaluation of proposed projects and
the study of contaminant concentrations in these species.
- Environmental Contaminants Specialists provide technical comments
on various federally-funded or federally- approved projects that could
potentially affect trust resources by introducing contaminants into
the environment or by posing a risk of contaminant spills.
- As part of the Contaminant Assessment Process, we evaluate and
summarize contaminant issues on each National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska.
These refuge-scale assessments often lead to more detailed contaminant
investigations and cleanup projects.
- We work with the Environmental Compliance Program (Division of Engineering)
and the National Wildlife Refuge System to plan environmental cleanups
on refuge lands. We also provide technical support regarding contaminant
remediation projects conducted by other responsible parties on Service-managed
lands.
- We work with refuges and other partners to implement an integrated
pest management program on Service lands, and we evaluate proposed
pesticide use on refuge land and in Service-funded projects.
- As part of our oil spill response program, we work proactively with
partners to identify trust resources vulnerable to spills and to review
spill response planning documents such as Area Plans and facility
contingency plans. During major spill events the Service serves as
an integral member of the Incident Command System, helping ensure
that wildlife issues are addressed appropriately.
- Following significant spill events and chemical releases, we work
with others to restore injured natural resources.
Last updated: November 17, 2008
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