intergenerational cross training workshop:
NATURAL RESOURCE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT AND RESTORATION
Agenda
September 18, 2025
Additional speakers will be posted here shortly.
9:30 AM
Welcome
9:45 AM
advancing common objectives and practices: background of workshop and desired outcomes
10:00 AM
opening remarks: natural resource changes, advancements and new initiatives
Eva Vrana, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Environmental Management, US Department of the Interior
10:45 AM
current tools in the toolbox: a review of natural resource damage assessment and restoration guidance and resource materials
Speakers will set the stage for the Workshop identifying the current “tools” available to public and private parties relative to natural resource damage assessment and restoration practices and issues. Such resources may include formal guidance documents, best practice materials, trainings, workshops, etc. Gaps and opportunities to expand the “toolbox” will also be identified.
12:00 PM
break for Lunch
12:45 PM
Fireside chat: Cercla and opa: what sets them apart in nrda application?
While the federal natural resource damage assessment (NRDA) regulations under Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and Oil Pollution Act are voluntary, they often provide a construct for both public and private parties to work through a assessment process and identify restoration options. The moderator will guide 1 or 2 speakers to provide insights on the similarities and the differences when approaching an NRDA for an oil spill under OPA or a hazardous waste site under CERCLA.
1:30 PM
interactive session 1: sharing practices and options in a CERCLA site application
This interactive session of the program will kick off with the presentation of a natural resource damage case example – real or hypothetical – that involves the release of hazardous substances under CERCLA. Discussants, based on their respective experiences, will work through various decision points and options within the NRDA and restoration process to see if common resolution and endpoints can be reached – or, alternatively, what gaps, challenges or opportunities might lead to same.
3:00 PM
break
3:15 PM
interactive session 2: sharing practices and options in aN Oil Spill site application
This interactive session of the program will kick off with the presentation of a natural resource damage case example – real or hypothetical – that involves the release of oil under OPA. Similar to Interactive Session 1, discussants, based on their respective experiences, will work through various decision points and options within the NRDA and restoration process to see if common resolution and endpoints can be reached – or, alternatively, what gaps, challenges or opportunities might lead to same.
4:45 PM
action summary: what’s needed to meaningfully support the next generation of nrda pracititioners
A panel will reflect on the presentations and interactive sessions from the Workshop to identify which of the issues, methodologies and insights discussed will be most important to share with the broader multi-stakeholder practitioner community. Panelists will also offer commentary on the current “tools” available to NRDA practitioners and what could be useful actions moving forward to expand or supplement presently available resources.