Kills and Spills Team

Obtain Compensation and Restore Affected Habitat

When a responsible party is identified during an investigation, TPWD may seek compensation for the loss of fish and wildlife resources, in addition to assessment costs associated with the investigation (for example, use of state equipment and state employee time). Compensation may take the form of two processes:

Civil Restitution

Civil restitution is not a penalty or fine, but the total calculated sum of the monetary value for the resources lost or injured plus the investigation/response costs incurred by TPWD. 

Expedited Settlement Projects

A responsible party may provide alternative projects or proposals that compensate for lost or injured natural resources through an expedited settlement in lieu of restitution.

Appropriate activities for use of funds include restoring affected resources, scientific studies, and education and outreach.