OR&R scientist conducting an overflight following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. (NOAA)

About

NOAA's Office of Response and Restoration (OR&R) is a center of expertise in preparing for, evaluating, and responding to threats to coastal environments, including oil and chemical spills, releases from hazardous waste sites, and marine debris.

To fulfill its mission of protecting and restoring NOAA trust resources, the Office of Response and Restoration:

  • Provides scientific and technical support to prepare for and respond to oil and chemical releases.
  • Determines damage to natural resources from these releases.
  • Protects and restores marine and coastal ecosystems, including coral reefs.
  • Works with communities to address critical local and regional coastal challenges.

OR&R is comprised of three divisions: Emergency Response, Assessment and Restoration, and Marine Debris. Collectively, the Office of Response and Restoration provides comprehensive solutions to environmental hazards caused by oil, chemicals, and marine debris.

For Media

If you're a journalist with a question about the Office of Response and Restoration and its activities, please contact Ben Sherman, NOAA National Ocean Service Public Affairs, at 301.713.3066 or Ben.Sherman@noaa.gov. You can view a list of our most recent press releases and stories here and find a variety of photos, videos, and podcasts on our Multimedia page. Find answers to frequently asked questions about Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, where you will also see a list of NOAA websites with public data and information.

Contact Us

Find various ways to contact our office and specific email addresses to use to ask us about our software, products, and publications.

OR&R Field Staff

Here is information that will help you locate and contact the field staff for OR&R's three divisions.

Emergency Response Division

OR&R's Emergency Response Division offers scientific expertise on oil and chemical spills in U.S. marine and coastal waters. Its efforts facilitate spill prevention, preparedness, response, and restoration at national and local levels.

Assessment and Restoration Division

OR&R's Assessment and Restoration Division is responsible for evaluating and restoring coastal habitats damaged by hazardous waste releases, oil spills, and vessel groundings. The division manages this with other federal partners in the Damage Assessment, Remediation and Restoration Program (DARRP).

Marine Debris Division

The NOAA Marine Debris Program undertakes national and international efforts focused on researching, reducing, and preventing debris in the marine environment.

Gulf of Mexico Disaster Response Center

NOAA's Disaster Response Center establishes a unique presence in the Gulf of Mexico region, expanding federal capacity to plan for and respond to all hazards.

Internships

Learn about internship opportunities with the Office of Response and Restoration. Gain valuable resume-building experience and an insider's perspective from the nation's scientific leader in oil spill response, restoration, and marine debris.
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