NAO 210-110: Damage Assessment, Remediation and Restoration Framework

Issued 11/15/2015; Effective 11/15/2015; Last Reviewed: 6/26/2019

SECTION 1. PURPOSE

.01 This Order institutionalizes the matrix operations for the Damage Assessment, Remediation and Restoration Program (DARRP) to protect and restore NOAA trust resources threatened and/or impacted by releases of oil and/or hazardous substances and vessel grounding impacts.

SECTION 2. SCOPE

.01 This Order specifies the roles and responsibilities of the components of NOAA that administer DAARP and describes DARRP operations.

SECTION 3. POLICY

.01 NOAA will manage the DARRP as a matrix program governed by the DARRP Framework document (Framework). The first written Framework was approved by the NOAA Administrator on April 22, 2015.

.02 The Framework will be reviewed every 3 years, and adapted if necessary.

.03 NOAA staff and officials with duties and responsibilities set forth in the Framework are
hereby delegated authority to implement those responsibilities.

SECTION 4. RESPONSIBILITIES

.01 The three components with responsibility for the DARRP Program are the Assessment and Restoration Division of the National Ocean Service; the Restoration Center of the National Marine Fisheries Service; and the Natural Resources Section of the NOAA Office of General Counsel. The responsibilities of the three components that run the DARRP, and of other NOAA offices and leadership are set forth in the Framework.

SECTION 5. REFERENCES

.01 This Order implements Natural Resource Damage Assessment authority set forth in the Oil Pollution Act, 33 USC Sec.2701 et. seq; CERCLA, 42 USC Sec. 9601 et seq.; the Clean Water Act, 33 USC Sec. 1251 et seq.; and the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, 16 USC 1431 et seq.; and implementing regulations, Executive Orders, and other authorities.

SECTION 6. EFFECT ON OTHER ISSUANCES

.01 This Order supersedes earlier informal written arrangements and agreements under which the DARRP operated; it is the first NAO for operation of the DARRP. It does not supersede response or other activity under these authorities and addressed in previous Department of Commerce or NOAA orders.

.02 The NOAA Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere signs because NOAA Office of General Counsel (OGC), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), and National Ocean Service (NOS), does not have a Delegation of Authority to sign this NAO.
An electronic copy of this Order will be posted on the NOAA Office of the Chief Administrative Officer website under the NOAA Administrative Issuances Section.

_________________________________
Under Secretary of Commerce
for Oceans and Atmosphere

Offices of Primary Interest:

National Ocean Service (NOS), Assessment and Restoration Division
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Restoration Center
NOAA Office of General Counsel (OGC), Natural Resources Section