Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration Program

Background The National Wildlife Refuge Associations mission is to conserve America¿s wildlife heritage for future generations through strategic programs that protect and enhance the National Wildlife Refuge System and the landscapes beyond its boundaries. The mission of the DOI Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration Program (NRDAR) is to restore natural resources injured as a result of oil spills or hazardous substance releases into the environment. In partnership with other affected State, Tribal, and Federal trustee agencies, damage assessments provide the basis for determining the restoration needs that address the publics loss and use of these resources. Benefits of Cooperative Interaction The DOI Restoration Program is undertaking a comprehensive Program Analysis and developing a Strategic Plan articulating how the Program will be best positioned and structured to ensure that current and future funds are most effectively and efficiently utilized to accomplish the greatest possible restoration outcomes in 2014 and beyond. An increasing amount of the Program¿s restoration efforts are being centered on National Wildlife Refuges and State-managed wildlife protection and management areas. The National Wildlife Refuge Association looks beyond NWR boundaries to promote the conservation and restoration of fish and wildlife resources. The Association possesses expertise in program evaluation and strategic planning that will be of benefit to the Restoration Program. Currently, the Fish and Wildlife Service is the largest component of the DOI Restoration Program as the lead Bureau in most assessment and restoration cases, and the NWR Program is among the highest priorities of the Service. Therefore, any improvements in NRDAR restoration outcomes will likely benefit the National Wildlife Refuge System. Further, the Association has individual expertise on its board uniquely situated to recognize, evaluate, and foster synergistic improvements in both Programs. While at DOI before joining the Associations board, Lynn Scarlett served as Assistant Secretary, then Deputy Secretary, and in both positions oversaw the growth of the Restoration Program. During her tenure, she directed the Program in 2005 to establish a Federal Advisory Committee to provide recommendations for more effective and efficient restoration of injured natural resources.