The Natural Resource Damage Assessment Model for Coastal and Marine Environments (NRDAM/CME)

Abstract

This paper describes the Natural Resource Damage Assessment Model for Coastal and Marine Environments (NRDAM/ CME) developed by the authors for the U.S. Department of the Interior. The NRDAM/CME is to be used for type A, simplified assessment of damages to natural resources in coastal and marine environment under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980. Given limited information supplied by an authorized official after a discharge or release-covered by the act, the model simulates the physical fates, biological effects, and economic damages resulting from the incident.