Research

Scope and Content Note

This series contains case files for compensation for injuries which happen to natural resources in the course of a spill or release of contaminants into the environment. The compensation pays for the cleanup and restoration of the injured resources. This series contains case files for Lake Ontario natural resource damages.

Typically, a case file consists of a wide variety of records documenting damages which have occurred to natural resources along with plans for the restoration of those resources. Thus, a case file usually includes pre-assessment screening records, documenting the potential for pursuing a natural resource compensation claim in a particular situation; preliminary estimates of damages; Restoration and Compensation Determination Plan; Public Participation Plan; public comments; injury reports, which consist of summaries of scientific and technical documentation of the damages which have occurred to natural resources (example, records documenting PCB levels in soil, fish, birds and animals in the damaged area); detailed technical and scientific documentation itself (for example, water and soil dioxin, metal, and chemical analyses, fish analyses, etc.); NRD Assessment Plan (a key document summarizing the damages and plans for restoration); documentation of litigation between the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the responsible party concerning the claim ("record" copies of litigation records are held by the Department of Law); agreements (copies) signed by DEC and the responsible party concerning actions to be taken and compensation to be paid; final reports, documenting restoration activities which occurred; background files, press releases and other miscellaneous documentation.