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Oil Spill Response

After an oil spill, LDWF and other state and federal natural resources agencies act as trustees on behalf of the public to restore damaged natural resources as well as the public’s lost use of these resources (such as fishing and swimming). LDWF is responsible for documenting impacts of oil spills on Louisiana’s wildlife, fisheries, and habitat. LDWF and other trustees use this information to assess the extent of the impacts and determine appropriate projects for restoring impacted resources and lost uses.

Documenting Impacts

LDWF documents impacts to wildlife, fisheries, and habitat associated with an oil spill (or substantial threat of an oil spill). Should injured wildlife be encountered in association with a spill, LDWF may request organizations associated with the incident (both the responsible party and response agencies) to provide wildlife rehabilitation services.

Assessing Impacts

LDWF and other trustees evaluate the short and long-term impacts associated with each spill. They mainly rely upon response documentation (described above) but may also collect additional time-sensitive information to help determine the extent of oil spill impacts. This process, known as Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA), can be critical in deciding how to restore impacted natural resources.

Restoring Resources and Lost Uses

Natural resource restoration aims to return damaged natural resources to the condition they would have been in had the spill not occurred and compensate the public for lost use of those resources. There are various means to accomplish this including restoration, rehabilitation, replacement, and acquisition of equivalent natural resources.

Report an Oil Spill

If you see spilled oil, you are required by law to call both of the following toll-free numbers:

For additional information, please visit the Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator’s Office (LOSCO) website.

Report Oiled Wildlife

Call 337.735.8677.