APPENDIX B Final Report
ACTIVITIES LEADING TO SECTION 7 CONSULTATION
ON THE GULF STURGEON

January 2003

ACTIVITIES LEADING TO SECTION 7 CONSULTATION ON THE GULF STURGEON
Action Agency	Consulting Service^a	Activity	Activity Description	Number of Consultations (Ten Years)^b	Potential Project Modification^c
Unit 1 - Pearl and Bogue Chitto Rivers in Louisiana and Mississippi
USACE	FWS	Dredging and disposal	USACE is in process of deauthorizing one old navigation project with sills.	n/a	n/a
USACE	FWS	Flood control and navigation	Multimillion dollar study of Pearl River watershed.	1 formal	Unknown.
USACE	FWS	Ross Barnett Dam (state-operated)	No flow issues anticipated. Ross Barnett has had the same operating procedures for 20 years and is unlikely to change due to sturgeon critical habitat.	n/a	n/a
USACE	FWS	Gravel mining	Issuance of permits for gravel mining operations near Pearl River (not in-stream).	10 informal	n/a
USACE	FWS	Regulated modifications of surface water bodies	Issuance of permits for docks, fishing piers, and small dredging projects.	100 informal	Modifications unlikely.
EPA	FWS	Impaired water body listings	Listing of impaired water bodies under section 303 (d) of the Clean Water Act.	5 informal	n/a
EPA	FWS	TMDLs	Noncompliances with water quality standards on impaired water bodies.	36 informal	n/a
FHWA	FWS	Bridge construction	County bridge construction and replacement projects.	5 informal	Limit construction to months when sturgeon migration is not occurring; apply measures to reduce turbidity and siltation.
Unit 2 - Pascagoula, Leaf, Bowie, Big Black Creek and Chickasawhay Rivers in Mississippi
USACE	FWS	Dredging and disposal	One authorized Federal navigation project on Pascagoula involving infrequent maintenance dredging and disposal.	2 formal^d	Minimize extent of dredging and disposal; sequence dredging; adopt standard monitoring measures; fund research studies.
USACE	FWS	Wetland habitat creation	Restoring habitat via placement of dredged material (beneficial reuse).	15 informal	Sequence work to minimize impacts to sturgeon migrations.
USACE	FWS	Water supply	Water withdrawn on the East Pascagoula River.	1 formal	Sequence work to minimize impacts to sturgeon migrations; alter dam release patterns.
USACE	FWS	Regulated modifications of surface water bodies	Issuance of permits for docks, fishing piers, mining, and wetlands fill.	15 informal, 4 formal (19 total)	Modifications unlikely.
EPA	FWS	Impaired water body listings	Listing of impaired water bodies under section 303 (d) of the Clean Water Act.	5 informal	n/a
EPA	FWS	TMDLs	Noncompliances with water quality standards on impaired water bodies.	40 informal	n/a
FHWA	FWS	Bridge construction	Bridge construction and replacement projects.	3 formal	Limit construction to months when sturgeon migration is not occurring: apply measures to reduce turbidity and siltation.
Unit 3 - Escambia, Conecuh, and Sepulga Rivers in Alabama and Florida
USACE	FWS	Dredging and disposal	One authorized Federal navigation project on Escambia River involving maintenance dredging.	2 formal^d	Minimize extent of dredging and disposal; sequence dredging; adopt standard monitoring measures; fund research studies.
USACE	FWS	Wetland/ habitat creation	Restoring habitat via placement of dredged material (beneficial reuse).	5 informal	Sequence work to minimize impacts to sturgeon migrations.
USACE	FWS	Flood control	Construction of flood protection in Brewton/East Brewton.	2 formal	Sequence work to minimize impacts to sturgeon migrations.
USACE	FWS	Regulated modifications of surface water bodies	Issuance of permits for structures located in bodies of water, including docks and boat launch facilities.	10 informal, 1 formal (11 total)	Modifications unlikely.
EPA	FWS	Impaired water body listings	Listing of impaired water bodies under section 303 (d) of the Clean Water Act.	5 informal	n/a
EPA	FWS	TMDLs	Noncompliances with water quality standards on impaired water bodies.	24 informal	n/a
FERC	FWS	Hydroelectric plant relicensing	Relicensing of Alabama Electric Cooperative plant on Conecuh River upon permit expiration in 2005.	1 informal	Unknown.
FHWA	FWS	Bridge construction	County bridge construction and replacement project on the Conecuh River; other bridge construction and replacement projects.	3 formal	Limit construction to months when sturgeon migration is not occurring; apply measures to reduce turbidity and siltation.
Unit 4 - Yellow, Blackwater, and Shoal Rivers in Alabama and Florida
USACE	FWS	Dredging and disposal	Authorized Federal navigation project on Blackwater River involving maintenance channel dredging.	1 formal^d	Minimize extent of dredging and disposal; sequence dredging; adopt standard monitoring measures; fund research studies.
USACE	FWS	Wetland habitat creation	Restoring habitat via placement of dredged material (beneficial reuse).	2 informal	Sequence work to minimize impacts to sturgeon migrations.
USACE	FWS	Water supply	Construction of dam in Okaloosa County, FL on Yellow River for purposes of water supply and recreation. Likely to require a USACE permit.	1 formal	Sequence work to minimize impacts to sturgeon migrations; alter dam release patterns; adopt standard monitoring measures; fund research studies.
USACE	FWS	Regulated modifications of surface water bodies	Issuance of permits for structures located in bodies of water, including docks and boat launch facilities.	10 informal, 1 formal (11 total)	Modifications unlikely.
EPA	FWS	Impaired water body listings	Listing of impaired water bodies under section 303 (d) of the Clean Water Act.	5 informal	n/a
EPA	FWS	TMDLs	Noncompliances with water quality standards on impaired water bodies.	12 informal	n/a
DOD	FWS	Eglin AFB	Army Ranger activities on the Yellow River, including explosives detonation to remove logjams, road maintenance projects, and other miscellaneous projects.	50 informal	n/a
FHWA	FWS	Bridge construction	Bridge construction and replacement projects.	2 formal	Limit construction to months when sturgeon migration is not occurring: apply measures to reduce turbidity and siltation.
Unit 5 - Choctawhatchee and Pea Rivers in Florida and Alabama
USACE	FWS	Dredging and disposal	Within-banks and open water dredging projects, plus channel dredging.	1 formal^d	Minimize extent of dredging and disposal; sequence dredging; adopt standard monitoring measures; fund research studies.
USACE	FWS	Clearing and snagging	Removal of debris from navigation channels.	1 formal	Clearing and snagging windows; minimize extent and length of time of clearing and snagging; sequence activity according to sturgeon migrations; adopt standard monitoring measures; fund research studies.
USACE	FWS	Wetland habitat creation	Restoring habitat via placement of dredged material (beneficial reuse).	4 informal	Sequence work to minimize impacts to sturgeon migrations.
USACE	FWS	Flood control	Rehabilitation of levees for flood control.	2 formal	Sequence work to minimize impacts to sturgeon migrations.
USACE	FWS	Water supply	Water supply for southeast Alabama.	1 formal	Sequence work to minimize impacts to sturgeon migrations; adopt standard monitoring measures; fund research studies.
USACE	FWS	Regulated modifications of surface water bodies	Issuance of permits for structures located in bodies of water, including docks and boat launch facilities.	5 informal, 2 formal (7 total)	Modifications unlikely.
EPA	FWS	Impaired water body listings	Listing of impaired water bodies under section 303 (d) of the Clean Water Act.	5 informal	n/a
EPA	FWS	TMDLs	Noncompliances with water quality standards on impaired water bodies.	8 informal	n/a
FHWA	FWS	Bridge construction	Bridge construction and replacement projects.	2 formal	Limit construction to months when sturgeon migration is not occurring: apply measures to reduce turbidity and siltation.
Unit 6 - Apalachicola and Brothers Rivers in Florida
USACE	FWS	Dredging and disposal	Major navigation project on Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) river systems involving hydraulic dredging and dredged material disposal.	1 formal^d	Avoid dredging and disposal activities during spring staging, migration and spawning activities (dredging deferred until after May 15). Confer with FWS to reduce impact to staging/spawning locations if dredging occurs between March 15 and May 15. Modify dredging locations to avoid or minimize impact to spawning areas and gravel beds.
USACE	FWS	Maintenance of navigation channel	Routine operations and maintenance of navigation channel.	20 informal	Avoid dredging and disposal activities during spring staging, migration and spawning activities (dredging deferred until after May 15). Confer with FWS to reduce impact to staging/spawning locations if dredging occurs between March 15 and May 15. Modify dredging locations to avoid or minimize impact to spawning areas, resting areas, and gravel beds.
USACE	FWS	Expand within-bank disposal area	Expand existing site or designate new site for disposal of dredged sediment.	1 informal	Avoid disposal activities during spring staging, migration and spawning activities (dredging deferred until after May 15). Confer with FWS to reduce impact to staging/spawning locations if dredging occurs between March 15 and May 15. Modify disposal locations to avoid or minimize impact to spawning areas, staging areas, and resting areas.
USACE	FWS	Water allocation formula	Changes in river flow regime to implement ACF water allocation formula.	1 formal	Provide for minimum flows during spring spawning periods; provide for minimum flows during periods when sturgeon are in thermal refuge/resting areas; assure that fluctuations in flow will not prevent access to spawning areas or adherence of eggs to substrate; assure that release patterns do not significantly change temperature regime in spawning and resting areas during spawning and resting times.
USACE	FWS	Water control plans	Updates and revisions to water control plans for reservoirs.	1 informal, 4 formal (5 total)	Provide for minimum flows during spring spawning periods; provide for minimum flows during periods when sturgeon are in thermal refuge/resting areas; assure that fluctuations in flow will not prevent access to spawning areas or adherence of eggs to substrate; assure that release patterns do not significantly change temperature regime in spawning and resting areas during spawning and resting times.
USACE	FWS	Maintenance of Jim Woodruff Dam	Routine dam maintenance activities.	2 informal	Schedule work in Jim Woodruff Dam tailwater below the dam between November 1 and March 15; assure that spawning habitat below dam is not altered.
USACE	FWS	Special releases from Jim Woodruff Dam	Increased release of water to the river to facilitate barge traffic.	1 informal, 2 formal (3 total)	Schedule work in Jim Woodruff Dam tailwater below the dam between November 1 and March 15; if releases occur during this time, provide for minimum flows to assure inundation of spawning habitat and thermal refuge/resting areas; assure that fluctuations in flow will not prevent access to spawning areas or adherence of eggs to substrate; assure that release patterns do not significantly change temperature regime in spawning and resting areas during spawning and resting times.
USACE	FWS	Spot dredging to correct cross-current below Jim Woodruff Dam	Removal of gravel bar that is an obstacle to barge traffic.	1 formal	Schedule work in Jim Woodruff Dam tailwater below the dam between November 1 and March 15; assure that spawning habitat below dam is not altered.
USACE	FWS	Modified dam release pattern	Changes in release pattern to accommodate hydropower generation schedules.	1 formal	Provide for minimum flows during spring spawning periods; provide for minimum flows during periods when sturgeon are in thermal refuge/resting areas; assure that fluctuations in flow will not prevent access to spawning areas or adherence of eggs to substrate; assure that release patterns do not significantly change temperature regime in spawning and resting areas during spawning and resting times.
USACE	FWS	Fish passage modifications to Jim Woodruff Dam	Investigation of possibilities for fish passage, including modifying lock structure or operations, or construction of a bypass.	1 informal	Schedule work in Jim Woodruff Dam tailwater below the dam between November 1 and March 15; assure that spawning habitat below dam is not altered.
USACE	FWS	Slough restoration	Dragline removal of sand and snags to restore access by fish to spring areas.	10 informal	Time slough/spring restoration to avoid work when sturgeon are using areas for thermal refuge; avoid material disposal/placement that restricts access to thermal refuges; assure opening of areas for other fish access does not alter temperature regime in thermal refuges.
USACE	FWS	Site rejuvenation	Removal of sand within disposal area by conveyor or dragline dredge; construction of new containment dikes onshore; construction of bank protection.	3 informal	Mobilize and stage equipment such that sturgeon movements are not interrupted during spring and fall migrations.
USACE	FWS	Regulated modifications of surface water bodies	Issuance of permits for structures located in bodies of water, including docks and boat launch facilities.	10 informal, 2 formal (12 total)	Modifications unlikely.
EPA	FWS	Impaired water body listings	Listing of impaired water bodies under section 303 (d) of the Clean Water Act.	5 informal	n/a
EPA	FWS	TMDLs	Noncompliances with water quality standards on impaired water bodies.	8 informal	n/a
FHWA	FWS	Bridge construction	Bridge construction and replacement projects.	2 formal	Limit construction to months when sturgeon migration is not occurring: apply measures to reduce turbidity and siltation.
Unit 7 - Suwannee and Withlacoochee River in Florida
USACE	FWS	Dredging and disposal	One small dredging project near the mouth of the Suwannee River. Not well-maintained because no good disposal areas.	1 informal	n/a
USACE	FWS	Regulated modifications of surface water bodies	Issuance of permits for structures located in bodies of water, including docks and boat launch facilities.	40 informal	Modifications unlikely.
EPA	FWS	Impaired water body listings	Listing of impaired water bodies under section 303 (d) of the Clean Water Act.	5 informal	n/a
EPA	FWS	TMDLs	Noncompliances with water quality standards on impaired water bodies.	20 informal	n/a
FHWA	FWS	Bridge construction	Construction of small bridge on the Withlacoochie River at the border of Florida and Georgia. Located upstream of critical habitat.	1 formal	Adopt time windows, use silt curtains, use bubble curtains and scare charges when detonating explosives, monitor turbidity.
Unit 8 - Lake Ponchartrain (east of causeway), Lake Catherine, Little Lake, the Rigolets, Lake Borgne, Pascagoula Bay and Mississippi Sound Systems in Louisiana and Mississippi
USACE	FWS	Dredging and disposal	Authorized projects include maintenance of Gulf Intercoastal Waterway (GIWW) across Lake Borgne and Mississippi Sound. Federal navigation authorized for Bayou Cadet, Pass Christian, Gulfport Harbor, Biloxi Harbor, and Pascagoula Harbor in Mississippi. Disposal of dredged material at ocean disposal sites at Gulfport (two sites) and Pascagoula (one site south of Horn Island).	12 formal^d	Minimize extent of dredging and disposal; adapt disposal areas; fund research studies.
USACE	NMFS	Wetland habitat creation	Restoring coastal habitat via placement of dredged material at Deer Island (Biloxi), Belle Fontaine, and other sites.	10 formal	Minimize extent of disposal; adapt disposal areas; fund research studies.
USACE	NMFS	Erosion control	Projects funded under the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act (CWPPRA - Breaux Bill) around Lake Borgne will involve using bargeloads of rock to prevent erosion of the lakeshore.	4 informal	Sequence work to minimize impacts to sturgeon migrations.
USACE	NMFS	Clearing and snagging	Clearing of debris from Bayou Lacombe.	1 informal	Minimize impact to benthos.
USACE	NMFS	Regulated modifications of surface water bodies	Issuance of permits for marine construction, oil and gas pipelines, pumping stations, oyster harvesting, and private dredging.	50 informal	Minimize impact to benthos.
EPA	FWS	Impaired water body listings	Listing of impaired water bodies under section 303 (d) of the Clean Water Act.	5 informal	n/a
EPA	FWS	TMDLs	Noncompliances with water quality standards on impaired water bodies.	64 informal	n/a
FHWA	FWS	Bridge construction	Highway 90 bridge replacement in Rigolets Pass and Highway 11 bridge replacement over Lake Ponchartrain.	2 formal	Adopt time windows, use silt curtains, use bubble curtains and scare charges when detonating explosives, monitor turbidity.
MMS	NMFS	Oil and gas leases and related projects	Lease sales of offshore oil and gas exploration blocks to private companies in Central and Eastern Planning Areas; environmental assessments of waste disposal facilities, explosives removal, and other projects; reinitiation of consultation in Eastern and Central Planning Areas.	10 formal; 3 informal; 5 formal reinitiations	Include sturgeon impacts in oil and hazardous spill contingency plan. Fund one additional study.
Unit 9 - Pensacola Bay System in Florida
USACE	NMFS	Dredging and disposal	Authorized projects include Pensacola Harbor Dredged Material Management Plan recertification and U.S. Navy permit for dredging. Also maintenance activities on GIWW, Bayou Chico, and Bayou Texar. Disposal of sediment may include beach placement, ocean disposal, and littoral zone disposal.	4 formal^d	Minimize extent of dredging and disposal; adapt disposal areas; fund research studies.
USACE	NMFS	Wetland habitat creation	Restoring coastal habitat via placement of dredged material.	6 formal	Minimize extent of disposal; adapt disposal areas.
USACE	NMFS	Modifications of surface water bodies	Issuance of permits for structures located in bodies of water, including docks and boat launch facilities, shoreline stabilization, reefs, and aquaculture.	50 informal	Minimize impact to benthos.
EPA	FWS	Impaired water body listings	Listing of impaired water bodies under section 303 (d) of the Clean Water Act.	5 informal	n/a
EPA	FWS	TMDLs	Noncompliances with water quality standards on impaired water bodies.	16 informal	n/a
DOD	NMFS	Pensacola NAS	Natural resources management, including exotic plant species control, beach nourishment, establishment of shoreline vegetation, and revision of INRMP.	4 formal	Minimize impact to benthos.
FHWA	FWS	Bridge construction	Bridge construction and replacement projects.	2 formal	Apply measures to reduce turbidity and siltation.
Unit 10 - Santa Rosa Sound in Florida
USACE	NMFS	Dredging and disposal	Recertification of maintenance on the GIWW.	1 formal^d	Minimize extent of dredging and disposal; adapt disposal areas; fund research studies.
USACE	NMFS	Wetland/ habitat creation	Restoring coastal habitat via placement of dredged material (beneficial reuse).	6 formal	Adapt disposal sites; minimize impact to benthos.
USACE	NMFS	Regulated modifications of surface water bodies	Issuance of permits for structures located in bodies of water, including docks and boat launch facilities, shoreline stabilization, reefs, and aquaculture.	200 informal	Modifications unlikely.
EPA	FWS	Impaired water body listings	Listing of impaired water bodies under section 303 (d) of the Clean Water Act.	5 informal	n/a
EPA	FWS	TMDLs	Noncompliances with water quality standards on impaired water bodies.	12 informal	n/a
Unit 11 - Near shore Gulf of Mexico in Florida
USACE	NMFS	Dredging and disposal	Maintenance of Pensacola Naval channel, dredged material management for Port St. Joe, recertification of navigation channels at East Pass at Destin and Panama City Harbor (St. Andrew Bay) using hydraulic pipeline dredge. Disposal of dredged sediment at downdrift beaches, and offshore ocean disposal at Pensacola and estuarine/littoral disposal at Perdido Key, St. Andrew State Park, St. Joe spit.	3 formal, 1 informal (4 total)^d	Minimize extent of dredging and disposal; adapt disposal areas; fund research studies. Past modifications were time constraints on dredge operation and funding a fish monitoring study at East Pass, at a cost of approximately $25,000.
USACE	NMFS	Beach nourishment	Renourishment of Panama City and other beaches.	1 formal; 4 informal (5 total)	Reduce project scope and periodicity; minimize extent of disposal activity.
USACE	NMFS	Jetty rehabilitation	Rehabilitation for St. Andrew Bay/Panama City Harbor Project.	1 formal	Minimize impact to benthos; adapt disposal areas.
USACE	NMFS	Regulated modifications of surface water bodies	Issuance of permits for structures located in bodies of water, including piers, beach nourishment, and artificial reefs.	20 informal	Minimize impact to benthos.
EPA	NMFS	Impaired water body listings	Listing of impaired water bodies under section 303 (d) of the Clean Water Act.	5 informal	n/a
EPA	NMFS	TMDLs	Noncompliances with water quality standards on impaired water bodies.	16 informal	n/a
DOD	NMFS	Tyndall AFB	Revision of Tyndall AFB’s Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan.	1 informal	n/a
DOD	NMFS	Eglin AFB	Navy testing and training mission activities, including detonation of explosives.	20 formal	Sponsor sturgeon distribution and foraging studies in Choctawhatchee Bay, Santa Rosa Sound, and the Yellow River.
Unit 12 - Choctawhatchee Bay in Florida
USACE	NMFS	Dredging and disposal	Maintenance of GIWW, hydraulic pipeline dredging of East Pass at Destin and LaGrange Bayou. East Pass and GIWW projects discussed under previous units. Resumption of maintenance dredging at La Grange Bayou is likely.	3 formal^d	Minimize extent of dredging and disposal; adapt disposal areas; fund research studies.
USACE	NMFS	Wetland habitat creation	Restore coastal habitat.	4 formal	Minimize extent of disposal activity; adapt disposal sites; minimize impact to benthos.
USACE	NMFS	Regulated modifications of surface water bodies	Issuance of permits for structures located in bodies of water, including docks and boat launch facilities, shoreline stabilization, reefs, and aquaculture.	225 informal	Minimize impact to benthos.
EPA	FWS	Impaired water body listings	Listing of impaired water bodies under section 303 (d) of the Clean Water Act.	5 informal	n/a
EPA	FWS	TMDLs	Noncompliances with water quality standards on impaired water bodies.	4 informal	n/a
Unit 13 - Apalachicola Bay in Florida
USACE	NMFS	Dredging and disposal	Shallow draft navigation projects including GIWW, Two-Mile, East Point, Carrabelle, Sikes (St. George Island) Cut, and Scipio Creek. Both hydraulic pipeline and mechanical dredging. Projects may involve upland, open water, and estuarine/littoral disposal of dredged sediment.	6 formal^d	Minimize extent of dredging and disposal; adapt disposal areas; fund research studies.
USACE	NMFS	Wetland habitat creation	Restoring coastal habitat.	4 formal	Adapt disposal areas; minimize impact to benthos.
USACE	NMFS	Regulated modifications of surface water bodies	Issuance of permits for structures located in bodies of water, including docks and boat launch facilities, shoreline stabilization, reefs, and aquaculture.	40 informal	Minimize impact to benthos.
EPA	FWS	Impaired water body listings	Listing of impaired water bodies under section 303 (d) of the Clean Water Act.	5 informal	n/a
EPA	FWS	TMDLs	Noncompliances with water quality standards on impaired water bodies.	4 informal	n/a
Unit 14 - Suwannee Sound in Florida
USACE	NMFS	Dredging and disposal	No new dredging projects or maintenance of existing navigation channels is anticipated	n/a	n/a
USACE	NMFS	Regulated modifications of surface water bodies	Issuance of permits for structure located in bodies of water, including docks and boat launch facilities, shoreline stabilization, reefs, and aquaculture.	2 informal	Minimize impact to benthos.
EPA	FWS	Impaired water body listings	Listing of impaired water bodies under section 303 (d) of the Clean Water Act	5 informal	n/a
EPA	FWS	TMDLs	Noncompliances with water quality standards on impaired water bodies	16 informal	n/a
Consultations Affecting Multiple Units
USACE	FWS and NMFS	Programmatic consultation on dredging and disposal ^e	Programmatic consultations on O&M navigation project activities (e.g., dredging and disposal) between FWS (Panama City, FL; Daphne, AL; and Jackson, MS) and USACE, Mobile District. Potentially affected units: Units 2-6, 8-13.	3 formal	Minimize extent of dredging and disposal; adapt disposal areas; fund research studies.
USACE	NMFS	Region-wide hopper dredging	Reinitiation of programmatic consultation on hopper dredging covering all four USACE districts in the Gulf of Mexico. Potentially affected units: Units 8-14.	1 reinitiated programmatic	Unknown.
DOD	FWS and NMFS	Eglin AFB	Revision of Eglin AFB’s Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan. Potentially affected units: Units 4, 9-12.	2 formal	n/a
EPA	FWS	Review of state water quality standards	Triennial review of water quality standards delegated to Alabama under section section 303 (c) of the Clean Water Act. Alabama consultations are historically more complex than other states and are expected to be formal. Potentially affected units: Units 4, 5, 8.	3 formal	n/a
EPA	FWS	Review of state water quality standards	Triennial review of water quality standards delegated to Florida under section section 303 (c) of the Clean Water Act. Potentially affected units: Units 4-7, 9-14.	3 informal	n/a
EPA	FWS	Review of state water quality standards	Triennial review of water quality standards delegated to Louisiana under section section 303 (c) of the Clean Water Act. Potentially affected units: Units 1, 8.	3 informal	n/a
EPA	FWS	Review of state water quality standards	Triennial review of water quality standards delegated to Mississippi under section section 303 (c) of the Clean Water Act. Potentially affected units: Units 1, 2, 8.	3 informal	n/a
EPA	FWS	National water quality criteria	Programmatic consultation on national water quality criteria, which provide basis for State standards. Potentially affected units: All.	1 formal	n/a
NMFS - Office of Sustainable Fisheries	NMFS	Fishery management plans	Developing and amending Fishery Management Plans (FMPs). Reinitiation of FMP for Gulf of Mexico shrimp fishery. Potentially affected units: Units 8-14.	2 formal; 10 informal; 1 formal reinitiation	n/a
FERC	NMFS	Interstate pipelines	Interstate oil and gas pipeline construction and related structures covered by blanket approval certificates. Potentially affected units: All.	20 informal	Use best management practices, change route of pipeline.
FEMA	FWS	Emergency response	Emergency cleanup activities, such as beach nourishment and debris removal. Potentially affected units: All.	2 informal	n/a
n/a = No consultations/modifications anticipated. ^a We determine which Service will consult based on the jurisdictional responsibilities described in the proposed rule designating critical habitat. The Services propose that the FWS will be responsible for all consultations in riverine habitat and that NMFS will be responsible for all consultations in marine habitat. In estuarine units, the Services propose to divide responsibility based on the Action agency involved. ^b For private projects regulated by the USACE, we project the number of permits based on the past record of permit applications received in each unit and the past proportion of total permits that were individual permits, standard permits, and letters of permission (LOPs). Based on the past permit history across units, approximately 20 percent of total permits are likely to lead to consultation. Permit data provided by Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District, May 28, 2002; Vicksburg District, May 31, 2002; Mobile District, June 21, 2002; and Jacksonville District, June 3 and 13, 2002. ^c Potential project modifications indicate the range of modifications that could possibly occur on future projects. Due to the uncertainty regarding which specific modifications will be implemented, they are not intended to represent the future modifications and conservation recommendations associated with specific projects. Rather, they represent the range of potential modifications that tend to be associated with various activity types. ^d Predicted consultations on dredging projects are based on a without-programmatic consultation scenario, in which USACE and the Services have not developed programmatic consultations on O&M navigation projects to streamline the consultation process. In a with-programmatic scenario, informal rather than formal consultations are predicted for these projects. ^e These programmatic consultations are only predicted for the with-programmatic scenario. If it is developed, many of the consultations noted in footnote d are likely to be informal, rather than formal. Sources: As cited by activity in Section 3. Personal communications with USACE, Jacksonville, Mobile, New Orleans, and Vicksburg Districts; MMS; EPA; AL DOT, FL DOT; FERC, Atlanta and Washington offices; FEMA; Eglin AFB; Tyndall AFB; Pensacola Naval Air Station; Coast Guard; Forest Service; USFWS; and NOAA Fisheries. Information on future bridge projects in Mississippi and western Florida based on Florida Department of Transportation Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP): FY 2/03-06/07, http://www11.myflorida.com/financialplanning/stip.htm, accessed November 13, 2002; and Mississippi Department of Transportation Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP): FY 2001-03, http://www.mdot.state.ms.us/business/stip/default.htm, accessed November 13, 2002.