The purpose of this deskbook is to provide a survey of the law and techniques associated with the common body of law, science, and economics constituting natural resource damage assessment. The frameworks for liability and the goals under the federal statutes providing a right of action for natural resource damages are substantially the same.

The law and technical approaches for natural resource damage assessment under one statute tend to build the base for assessment under other statutes. Thus, natural resource damage assessment is best undertaken with an understanding of legal developments under all the federal natural resource damage statutes and the technical approaches used for assessment. The body of the deskbook presents both analysis of law and practical information about the elements of natural resource damage assessment and technical approaches used. The deskbook is written with both environmental managers and lawyers in mind.