Partnerships
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Damage Assessment,
Remediation, and Restoration Program (DARRP) works with all affected
interests—the public, the responsible party, and other trustee agencies—to
restore coastal and marine resources. Successful restoration depends on good
working relationships among the involved parties. These relationships are
sometimes formalized into partnership projects or defined programs.
Environmental Conflict Resolution
Negotiating conflicts arising from environmental incidents involves a range of
methods. Unlike traditional litigation, alternative negotiation - such as
facilitation, mediation, and conflict assessment - allows stakeholders to
reach agreement without judicial intervention. NOAA encourages you to learn
about Environmental Conflict Resolution as a cost
saving alternative to traditional conflict resolution.
NOAA Advising on Possible Department of the Interior Natural
Resource Damage Statutory Reforms
The Department of Interior (DOI) has created the Natural Resource Damage
Assessment and Restoration Advisory Committee, in accordance with section 9(a)
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) of 1972, to examine possible
reforms to the department’s oversight of natural resource damage (NRD)
provisions of several federal environmental laws. On May 24, 2005, Interior
Secretary Gale Norton signed a charter establishing a Federal Advisory
Committee Act (FACA) panel "provide advice and recommendations on issues
related to [DOI’s] authorities, responsibilities and implementation of the
natural resource damage provisions of the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act [(CERCLA)], the Oil Pollution Act, and the
Clean Water Act."
The DOI FACA committee includes up to 30 representatives from DOI, other federal
trustees, industry, and national and local environmental groups. Two members of
NOAA's NRDA program were appointed to share their expertise about NRD
assessment and restoration practice issues.
Among the committee’s duties will be “to meet periodically to gather and analyze
information, discuss assessment and restoration practice issues, and -- in an
advisory capacity only -- to develop recommendations for achieving ecologically
sound, timely, and cost effective restoration of natural resources injured by
releases of hazardous substances or oil.”
The DOI FACA material can be reviewed by visiting:
http://restoration.doi.gov/faca.html
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