The Great Lakes region stands as a crucial ecosystem, supporting diverse species, habitats, and communities integral to both environmental health and human livelihoods. As part of our mission, OR&R has supported research and development on oil spills in the Great Lakes, working with our close partner and collaborator, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Great Lakes Oil Spill Center of Expertise (GLCOE).

During May, OR&R provided response support for 26 incidents, including 19 new incidents in 10 states. Eighteen of the new incidents were actual or potential oil spills, and one was a chemical spill in the Detroit River, Michigan.

During April, OR&R provided response support for 18 incidents, including six new incidents in three states. The six new incidents were all actual or potential oil spills.

This March, the Office of Response and Restoration provided scientific support for 26 marine pollution and coastal emergencies—including twelve actual or potential oil spills, two chemical incidents, and five other incidents, including two involving dead whales.

Last month, OR&R provided scientific support for 26 marine pollution incidents—including 15 new incidents that included an abandoned mystery drum in Puerto Rico and an international incident in the Red Sea. In our latest blog, view the full list of our response efforts in February.

Last month, OR&R provided scientific support for 25 marine pollution incidents—including 16 new incidents that included 10 actual or potential oil spills, five chemical incidents, and one “other”—a dead gray whale.

This month, NOAA’s Office of Response and Restoration released a new version of the Environmental Response Management Application (ERMA®). The latest release of the web-based mapping application used by environmental responders and natural resource decision-makers includes a host of new features, tools, and optimizations, as well as improved mobile device responsiveness.