NRDA

Over the past five years, NOAA and co-trustees have secured $163 million from eight pollution settlements from seven hazardous waste sites and one oil spill in the Northeast region. These funds contribute to the $390 million recovered in the region since 1988. These recovered funds are used for restoration projects that benefit the impacted communities, the ocean economy, and coastal recovery by enhancing robust fisheries, protecting endangered species, revitalizing coastal habitats, and improving recreation access.

In 2024, NOAA and co-trustees secured $40 million from four hazardous waste pollution settlements for the restoration of U.S. waterways.

As new and more intense forms of marine pollution threaten coastal ecosystems, economies, and communities, scientists from NOAA OR&R collaborate with leading experts on topics like marine debris, environmental economics, endangered species, environmental chemistry, and many other subjects that intersect with pollution science. This blog highlights some recently published scientific advances supporting pollution response and assessment.