Natural resource injuries may occur as a result of releases of hazardous substances or oil. Natural resources are broadly defined (by CERCLA and the OPA) to include an often complex and interconnected system that includes “land, fish, wildlife, air, water, ground water, drinking water supplies and other such resources.” Resource trustees use natural resource damage assessments (NRDAs) to assess injury to natural resources held in the public trust, and to collect damages for injury or loss of natural resources.

Our analyses can help you assess your NRD liability by:

• Determining the extent of the ground water impact;
• Evaluating the duration of the ground water injury; and
• Assuring a reasonable valuation of the resource.

Experience has shown that ground water can be one of the most important resources in a damage assessment, because ground water can be both a pathway and a receptor. Potentially, every ground water contamination matter could involve not only damages related to the ground water resource (i.e., intrinsic value; value as a current or potential drinking water supply), but injury to aquifer materials in contact with the contaminated ground water, surface water at the point of ground water discharge, and any wildlife and biota that come into contact with the injured surface water.

McLane Environmental, a firm specializing in the analysis of subsurface environmental systems and the fate and transport of chemicals in the environment, has assembled a team that possesses the range of skills (soil zone hydrology, chemical fate and transport, ground water modeling, geostatistics, surface water and coastal zone hydrology) required to assist clients who may be facing natural resource damage (NRD) claims. We are experienced in coordinating with the other specialists and experts (remedial engineers, toxicologists, ecosystem biologists, and resource economists) that may be required to assure a reasonable valuation in a large and complex NRD action. We have performed numerous natural resource impact analyses, and have recently provided expert litigation support for defendants in one of the nation’s largest NRD claims.

Assessment of damages is a complex process that requires analysis by a closely-knit team of diverse environmental professionals. Our experience at McLane Environmental in performing natural resource assessment analyses, coupled with our ground water expertise, allows us to efficiently and effectively assist you in successfully responding to NRD claims.

	Natural Resource Damages in New Jersey
	New Jersey Natural Resource Damages Calculator