Final rule · 2026-14052

Natural Resource Damages for Hazardous Substances

This final rule revises the simplified Type A procedures in the regulations for conducting natural resource damage assessments for hazardous substance releases. Additionally, this final rule includes several conforming changes and corrections intended to fix citations, provide for consistent use of terminology, and remove outdated or duplicative rule provisions and definitions. The Department of the Interior (Interior) is removing provisions that it believes are no longer applicable, clarifying other provisions by incorporating language that would implement existing Interior regulatory interpretations, and making other changes and corrections. These revisions also allow for the regulations to meet information collection requirements mandated by the Office of Management and Budget.