State-By-State Guide To NRD Programs In All 50 States And Puerto Rico

INTRODUCTION

States may pursue natural resource damage (NRD) claims pursuant to the key federal statutes or, in some cases, pursuant to independent state authority. Over the years, many states have played a critical role in the prosecution of NRD claims. Furthermore, as can be seen below, it is fair to say that state programs are evolving rapidly. Several state programs are fairly robust and many other states are currently considering increased NRD activity.

This guide provides an overview of the NRD programs in all 50 states plus Puerto Rico. The overview of each respective program includes a discussion of applicable statutory authority, principal state trustee(s), major matters and settlements where that information is available, contact information, and important reference material.