J a s o n  P h i l l i p s

Name: Jason Phillips

Title: Fish & Wildlife Biologist

Responsibilities: Federal projects consultation, Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7 consultations, ESA listing and recovery

Origin: Pine Bluff, Arkansas

Education: B.S. Fisheries and Wildlife Biology, Arkansas Tech University

Jason began his federal career with the Service, with our office, in 2001 after several years of working for universities and a private fisheries and wildlife consultant. Although most of his training and experience relates to fisheries biology and aquatic ecology, he has quickly gained the ability to assess impacts from federal projects to wildlife resources of both the aquatic and terrestrial variety. And yes, this even includes plants! Of course this ability is greatly improved by the opportunity to tap the brains of the diverse AFO staff.

When asked what his job entails, Jason’s first response is, “I am not a game warden!” He describes himself as a federal projects biologist. Essentially he acts as a fisheries and wildlife consultant to agencies that are funding or permitting actions that may impact fish and wildlife resources. This may entail reading a project proposal and providing written recommendations to lessen impacts or could involve actually conducting field assessments of wildlife populations. Although many of the recommendations made by the Service are not binding, they are usually included as a part of documents such as Environmental Assessments or Environmental Impact Statements so that public reviewers can take into account the Service’s opinion when providing their own comments. When federally threatened or endangered species may be affected by a proposed project, he consults with the funding or permitting agency to insure that take of those species is avoided or reduced.

The main projects keeping Jason busy at this time are “water development projects” in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley, or Delta, of eastern Arkansas. Projects falling under this description include stream modifications for urban and/or agricultural flood control, river modifications to facilitate barge traffic, and diversions of stream flow to provide water for irrigation or other uses. Such projects have the potential to have negative impacts on not only aquatic species but also many terrestrial species that depend on periodic flooding to maintain their preferred habitats. A great example is waterfowl that depend on flooded bottomland hardwood forests to provide food and cover during their winter migration. Jason works with the federal and state agencies involved to modify projects where possible to avoid or reduce potential impacts to fish and wildlife resources. In some instances it is even possible to plan a project that will meet its original goals while also enhancing the habitats that wildlife depends upon.

Jason’s personal life has undergone some big changes in recent years. Since 2005 he has gone from a carefree bachelor to a married man with a new house and a new son born in May 2007! In his remaining spare time, he enjoys duck and deer hunting, fishing, nature photography, and helping his wife garden and landscape their new yard.