Just do it

Abstract

Repairing natural resources damaged by oil spills and chemical releases has usually meant more litigation than restoration - A program that benefited lawyers more than the environment. But a new approach pioneered under the Oil Pollution Act emphasizes getting out of the blocks quickly and getting the job done. Under the NOAA approach, the restoration plan, rather than the damage assessment becomes the focus. The government and the responsible party are encouraged to work together productively toward restoration rather than engage in a blame game in which success is defined as either raising or lowering the dollar value of the (very) eventual outcome. In addition, the NOAA approach is much more cost-effective for both the agency and the responsible party. The government can focus on conducting the restoration which is its area of expertise. It does not need experts to "prove" that a duck or a clean beach is worth a particular dollar amount - A very expensive and time consuming exercise.