National Park Service

Environmental Quality






For the more information about the natural resources of the National Park Service, please visit http://www.nature.nps.gov/.

NPS » Explore Nature » Environmental Quality

Damage Assessment and Restoration

Burned forests of the Yukon Charley Rivers National Preserve
The Environnmental Quality Division works to assess damage to park resources caused by injuries such as fires. Yukon Charley Rivers National Preserve. NPS photo by Chris Houlette.

When NPS resources are injured by others, the Damage Assessment and Restoration Program assists parks and regions in documenting injuries and obtaining funds to implement restoration projects for the injured resources. Examples of incidents that can cause resource injuries include ship groundings, oil and hazardous substance spills, fires, boundary encroachments, and motor vehicle accidents. The Environmental Quality Division works to support and advise parks and regions in damage assessment and restoration activities.

Specifically our functions include:

  • Developing damage assessment and restoration policy and guidance.
  • Coordinating and managing of NPS damage assessment and restoration activities.
  • Providing training and technical assistance for damage assessment and restoration activities.
  • Serving as primary liaison with outside entities involved in NPS damage assessment and restoration activities, including the DOI Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration Program office, DOI Office of the Solicitor, U.S. Department of Justice, and other state and federal natural resource trustees.

Director’s Order 14 and its accompanying handbook set forth the policies and procedures the National Park Service will follow to collect civil damages and restore resources caused by third-party actions.

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Last Updated: April 26, 2012