Endangered Species Act Consultation
About the Amendment > Endangered Species Act Consultation
As we amend the Northwest Forest Plan, the Forest Service is required to consult with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service on the amendment’s potential effects towards federally listed species and their critical habitat.
Agencies have entered a consultation agreement to foster cooperation and integrate consultation considerations early into the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process. The Environmental Protection Agency is also invited to participate in Endangered Species Act discussions to ensure consistency with other relevant environmental laws including the Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act.
Endangered Species Act - Frequently Asked Questions
Under the Endangered Species Act, federal agencies must consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and, or National Marine Fisheries Service when any project or action may affect an Endangered Species Act listed species or designated critical habitat.
Yes, the Forest Service will be required to complete Endangered Species Act consultation for the Northwest Forest Plan amendment.
Endangered Species Act (ESA) consultation is mandated for any federal actions that may affect ESA-listed species or their designated critical habitat. The intent of ESA consultation is to ensure that the proposed project or action will not reduce the likelihood of survival and recovery of an ESA-listed species. This is done by identifying and potentially avoiding or minimizing likely impacts to ESA-listed species and their designated critical habitat.
The consultation for this amendment will involve interagency cooperation throughout, and will apply the following overarching tenets:
- Integrate consultation considerations early in the NEPA process.
- Enhance interagency cooperation for conserving listed or proposed species and their habitat.
- Develop the proposed action, analyses, selected alternative, and Biological Assessment content to reduce conflicts between listed species and the proposed action
- Establish expectations, scope, and timelines for the Biological Assessments to ensure sufficiency for consultation purposes.
- Review the adequacy of the Biological Assessments and effects determinations prior to submission to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service.
- Promote mutual success in meeting both regulatory needs and amendment objectives.
More about the Consultation Agencies
- ESA Section 7: ESA Section 7 Consultation | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (fws.gov)
- Endangered Species Act Section 7 Consultations, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): Endangered Species Act Section 7 Consultations | NOAA Fisheries