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Section 7 Consultations
To comply with section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (Act), the Federal agency (e.g., USDA) must analyze the proposed project for potential impacts to Federally protected species
and/or proposed or designated critical habitat. Using this analysis, the Federal agency (or its designated non-Federal representative) makes a determination of effect for
Federally protected species and/or proposed or designated critical habitat.
For Federally protected species, the Federal agency must make one of the following determinations for the proposed project: (1) no effect; (2) is not likely to adversely affect, or (3) is likely to adversely affect. A (No Effect) is the appropriate conclusion if the proposed action will not affect listed species. A (Is not likely to adversely affect) is the appropriate
conclusion when effects on listed species are expected to be discountable, insignificant, or completely beneficial. A (Is likely to adversely affect) is the appropriate conclusion if any
adverse effect to listed species may occur as a direct or indirect result of the proposed action or its interrelated or interdependent actions. (50 CFR 402). If a (No Effect)
determination is made, the Federal agency is Not obligated to contact the Fish and Wildlife Service for concurrence. If a (Not likely to adversely affect) determination
is made, the Federal agency must contact the Service for written concurrence. If a determination of (Likely to adversely affect) is made, the Federal agency must initiate formal
consultation with the Service (See 50 CFR 402 for additional information).
Please include the following information (or a biological assessment) when initiating consultations with the Charleston Field Office.
- The type of Federal action involved (e.g., Federal permit, authorization,
funding, etc.) and letter of designation if you are acting as the Federal
agency= s non-Federal
representative.
- A Biological Assessment (BA) if one is required (i.e., a BA is required
for A major construction activities
considered to be Federal actions significantly affecting the quality of the
human environment as referred to in the National Environmental Policy Act.
Recommended contents for a BA are described in 50 CFR 402.12(f) and are
similar to that described below.
- Description of the proposed action. Project location including county,
nearby town or city, latitude and longitude, and maps indicating precise
(e.g., topographic map, soil survey map, National Wetlands Inventory map,
aerial photo, etc.) and general location (e.g., state or county highway map,
etc.). Indicate the limits of the project on the location map. Include
acreage, miles, feet, or other measure of the area to be impacted by the
proposed action. Description of the specific habitat that may be affected by the proposed
action. Typical descriptions include, but are not limited to, habitat types
(e.g., agricultural field, pine forest, bottomland hardwoods, scrub-shrub
wetlands, upland hardwoods, open water, etc.), present condition of the
habitat type (e.g., cutover, early successional, mature, old growth, etc.),
soil classification, and a photograph, if available, of each habitat type
where impacts will occur.
- Describe which species and/or critical habitat may occur in the project
area. General, county-wide species lists can be obtained from the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, 176 Croghan Spur Road, Suite 200, Charleston, South
Carolina 29407. Habitat information can be found online at
www.fws.gov.
- Has the proposed project area been surveyed for endangered and threatened
species or for potential habitat for these species? Include a clear
description of your survey methods. When were surveys conducted? Who conducted
the surveys?
- Provide background information on the threatened or endangered species
and/or critical habitat in the project area.
- An analysis of the A effects of
the action, as defined by 50 CFR
402.02, on any listed species and/or designated or proposed critical habitat
including consideration of direct, indirect, and cumulative effects. Indirect
effects are those that are caused by the proposed action and are later in
time, but still are reasonably certain to occur. Cumulative effects are those
effects of future State or private activities, not involving Federal
activities, that are reasonably certain to occur within the action area of the
proposed project. How will the proposed project affect Federally protected species and/or
designated or proposed critical habitat that occurs in the project area? If
you believe the project will A not
effect the species, explain why.
If you believe the project will A
not likely adversely affect the
species, explain why. If you believe the project A may adversely affect
the species, explain what the effects might be (contact the Charleston Field
Office for assistance). Give a similar justification for any potential impacts
to designated or proposed critical habitat.
- What is your decision? The Federal action agency must make a determination
of effect. The assessment should lead the reviewer (i.e., the Service) though
a discussion of effects to a logical, well-supported conclusion. Decisions
must be justified biologically. The responsibility for making the
determination of effects lies with the Federal agency. See above for possible
determinations and their definitions.
Program Contacts
References:
- Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531-1543)
- Interagency Cooperation - Endangered Species Act (50 CFR 402)
- Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants (50 CFR 17)
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