NOAA Restoration Center: restoring living marine resource habitats

The NOAA Restoration Center is the focal point for coastal and estuarine habitat restoration within NOAA. Its missions are to: (i) Restore fish habitat and other natural resources that have been injured by human activities; (ii) Advance the science and technology of coastal habitat restoration; and (iii) Transfer restoration technology to the public, the private sector, and other governmental agencies. The Restoration Center serves NOAA, other federal agencies, and state and local governments. In addition, the center works with non-governmental organizations, schools and private industry. The Restoration Center is a part of NOAA\´s Damage Assessment and Restoration Program (DARP). Through DARP, NOAA claims damages for injuries to marine resources resulting from oil spills, hazardous releases, or other human-induced environmental disturbances. Monetary awards from polluters and other responsible parties are used to "restore, replace, or acquire the equivalent of" the injured resources. To-date, this program has initiated restoration activities at over 25 sites around the country. The Restoration Center is also working to stem the tide of wetland loss in Louisiana, which is beset by the highest rate of coastal wetland loss in the nation. Under the Coastal Wetland Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act, NOAA and the State of Louisiana are engaged in a partnership to restore salt marshes lost to erosion, subsidence and hydrological alterations