Survey Protocols and Other Guidelines
We require permits and/or standard survey protocols for some species. Visit our Recovery Permits page for more information. If you have questions, contact our Recovery Branch at (916) 414-6600 concerning permits and surveys within our jurisdiction.
Animals
Bald Eagle
- National Bald Eagle Management Guidelines (148 KB PDF)
Buena Vista Lake Ornate Shrew
Survey Guidance
- Survey Protocol (91 KB PDF)
California Red-Legged Frog
Survey Guidance
- Complete Guidance (144 KB PDF)
- Recommended Equipment Decontamination Procedures (12 KB PDF)
- Site Assessment Data Sheet (23 KB PDF)
- Frog Survey Data Sheet (25 KB PDF)
California Tiger Salamander
Interim Survey Guidance
- Cover Letter (221 KB PDF)
- Guidance (59 KB PDF)
The information about listing status in this document is outdated. However, the guidance remains in effect. See our species account for the current status of the species. The species account available in RTF (Rich Text Format) versions.
Delta Smelt
- Programmatic Consultation (2 MB PDF)
Giant Garter Snake
- Programmatic Consultation (92 KB PDF)
- Appendix A - Replacement & Restoration Guidelines (36 KB PDF)
- Appendix B - Items Necessary for Formal Consultation (21 KB PDF)
- Appendix C - Avoidance & Minimization Measures During Construction (27 KB PDF)
- Appendix D - Information to Include in a Monitoring Report (21 KB PDF)
Kangaroo Rats
Riparian Brush Rabbit & Woodrat
- Draft Habitat Assessment Guidelines & Survey Protocol for the Riparian Brush Rabbit and the Riparian Woodrat (65 KB PDF)
San Joaquin Kit Fox
- Northern Range Cover Letter - Please read (33 KB PDF)
- Survey Protocol for the Northern Range (55 KB PDF)
- Standardized Recommendations for Protection of the Endangered San Joaquin Kit Fox Prior To or During Ground Disturbance (25 KB PDF)
Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle
- Corps of Engineers Programmatic Consultation (91 KB PDF)
- Conservation Guidelines (1.5 MB PDF)
- Federal Highway Administration Programmatic Consultation (165 KB PDF)
Vernal Pools
- Instructions for Submitting Voucher Specimens (30 KB PDF)
- Interim Survey Guidelines for Recovery Permits for Vernal Pool Branchiopods (110 KB PDF)
- Wet Season Survey Sheet (19 KB PDF)
- Dry Season Survey Sheet (15 KB PDF)
- Consultation Checklist (23 KB PDF)
- Corps of Engineers Vernal Pool Programmatic Consultation (81 KB PDF)
- Construction Monitoring Protocol and Habitat Replacement Evaluation (115 KB PDF)
Species Without Protocols
For species not shown above, contact our Recovery Branch at (916) 414-6600.
Plants
- Guidelines for Conducting and Reporting Botanical Inventories for Federally Listed, Proposed and Candidate Plants (28 KB PDF)
- General Rare Plant Survey Guidelines (133 KB PDF)
- Guidelines for Conducting and Reporting Botanical Inventories Federally Listed, Proposed and Candidate Plants on the Santa Rosa Plain (36 KB PDF)
Other Resources
Some of these may not be appropriate for surveys within the Sacramento service area. Contact our office if you have any questions.
Pacific Southwest Region
Ventura Fish & Wildlife Office
Endangered Species Consultation
See a list of our branches to determine which branch to contact about consultation.
- Action Area. It's not just the project footprint PDF.
- Consultation Handbook (920 KB PDF). The book used by our biologists.
- Consultation Timelines PDF.
- Glossary of Consultation Terminology (34 KB PDF)
- Regulations covering the consultation process:Title 50, Part 402 of the Code of Federal Regulations
- Species Lists for consultations
CVPIA Comprehensive Assessment & Monitoring Program (CAMP)
2008 Draft Rotary Screw Trap Protocol (4.4 MB PDF)
Energy & Communication Facilities
- Communications Towers
- Wind Energy Development
- Hydroelectric Licensing - Contact our Energy Planning & Instream Flow Branch at (916) 414-6585.
