Following a natural resource injury, NOAA has two goals. The first is to restore the environment to the condition it would have been in had the pollution or grounding event not occurred. The second is to compensate the public for lost natural resource services, including recreation, from the time of injury until full recovery is attained. 

Once we finalize a restoration plan and determine the means for funding implementation, we implement or oversee implementation of the selected restoration projects, and monitor the results. The responsible party (RP)The individuals, companies, or government agencies responsible for an oil spill, hazardous substance release, or ship grounding incident. is often a key participant in this process, and is liable for the costs of restoration activities.

Restoration projects may include such actions as:

• Creating and restoring wetlands
• Enhancing beaches and shorelines
• Creating oyster reefs and other shellfish habitat
• Restoring coral reefs and seagrass beds
• Acquiring, restoring, and protecting waterfowl habitat
• Removing barriers from rivers to allow fish to reach upstream habitat
• Constructing boat ramps, fishing piers, and trails to improve recreational access