Good news for a new year! OR&R and partners recovered $40 million from polluters in 2024 that will fund restoration of waterways and their habitats following oil spill and industrial pollution incidents in New Jersey, Texas, and Washington. These restoration efforts will benefit fish, wildlife, and communities disproportionately impacted by pollution. NOAA and its partners assessed the impacts of these incidents and reached legal settlements with those responsible to fund restoration. In a recent NOS video message, Paul Scholz, NOS deputy assistant administrator for ocean services and coastal zone management, shares the news.

Tune in to the next TIPS webinar, Strategies to Reverse the Plastic Tide, on February 11, 2025 from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. EST. This upcoming webinar will feature presentations from various organizations that engage in preventative and regulatory efforts to mitigate marine debris. Presenters will highlight the use of local and regional policies, regulations, and initiatives to reduce plastic usage in our island communities. Register for the upcoming webinar and catch up on previous webinar recordings on the NOAA Marine Debris Program website.

During November 2024, OR&R provided response support for 12 incidents. OR&R’s support for an allision between a barge and a bridge in Alabama continued from October 2024, while 11 new incidents were supported in six states, one territory (Puerto Rico), and one foreign country (Samoa). Ten of the new incidents were actual or potential oil spills and one involved threat of chemical pollution from a mine tailing release. View the full list of OR&R's November incident responses.

Michele Jacobi, Deputy Chief of OR&R's Assessment and Restoration Division, was recognized as part of a Employee of the Year group award along with other team members who established the NOS Data Governance Board, fostering a data-centric culture and establishing the foundation needed to support the NOS Data Community. Matthew Chasse with the NOAA Office of Coastal Management was recognized for his collaboration in supporting three separate cross-NOAA, OR&R led activities in 2024 that directly enhanced NOS and NOAA’s readiness posture for the next disaster. CDR George Mitzner with the NOS Office of Management and Budget was recognized for his collaboration in leading, developing, and executing tailored behavioral health education, training, and plan development that directly promotes workforce sustainability, safety, and wellness within OR&R.