Tools for Agencies

Federal Agency Assistance and Consultation

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with federal agencies on proposed and ongoing projects to ensure compliance with the Endangered Species Act and other federal laws that conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats.

Section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act - Federal Agency Consultation

Frequently Asked Questions
Section 7 Consultation Handbook
Glossary (Terms and Definitions)
Streamlining Agreement - Expedited consultation guidelines for Northwest land management agencies
Biological Opinions

For status on current consultation information, contact the UCFWO at (509) 891-6839.

Species Lists

Technical Assistance

Federal Activities

Environmental Laws, Guidance, and Programs - Comprehensive information about environmental acts, laws and programs such as: Clean Water Act; Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act; National Environmental Policy Act; Sikes Act; Hydropower Relicensing; Communication Towers; Climate Change; Wind Energy and Siting Guidelines, Migratory Birds - Laws and treaties; permits; strategic plans; Executive Orders; avian influenza; Avian Protection Plan, Bald Eagles ( Delisting; Bald Eagle Management Guidelines and Conservation).

Permits

Permits for native endangered or threatened species, issued by the Endangered Species program, fall into two basic categories:

10(a)(1)(A) Permits - Enhancement of Survival, Recovery and Interstate Commerce Permits

• Enhancement of survival permits: associated with Safe Harbor agreements [PDF] and Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances [PDF],
• Recovery and interstate commerce permits: associated with activities such as captive breeding and research to further the recovery of a species

10(a)(1)(B) Permits - Incidental Take Permits

Incidental take permits: associated with Habitat Conservation plans

For more information and points of contact, see our fact sheet entitled "Permits for Native Species Under the Endangered Species Act" (pdf).

For information on other types of Service permits, please go to the Fish and Wildlife Service Permit Page.

Offices That Issue Permits

The Service's Endangered Species program issues permits through its Regional offices for native endangered and threatened species, except for import or export permits, which are issued by the Division of Management Authority located at our Headquarters Office in Arlington, Virginia.

Permits and Public Comment

Endangered species permits authorize actions that can potentially impact a species’ recovery. Before issuing a permit, we invite public comment on it. Federal Register announcements soliciting public comment on permit applications can be found in the Service's centralized library of Federal Register notices in the “Notices” section of each year.

Comments can now be submitted online at the regulations.gov web site.

Permit Application Fees

The processing fee for many permit applications increased on May 11, 2005. For information on the fee increase please view the final rule [PDF] (published on Monday, April 11, 2005), or the accompanying press release.

Revised Permit Application Forms for Native Endangered & Threatened Species

Fish and Wildlife Service permit applications are available on the web. The Endangered Species Program's permit applications are numbered below. The first page is now identical for all Service permit application forms. To make the forms easier to use, most of the check box items have been moved to the front. We also added a list of Regional contacts. Please read the instructions on how to fill out the online forms before accessing the forms.

• 3-200-54 (pdf) for Enhancement of Survival Permits Associated with Safe Harbor Agreements and Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances. NOTE: Please do not fill out or submit the application form until you contact our nearest Field Office. The Field Office will provide guidance on developing complete and adequate application materials and will determine when the application form and materials are ready for submission.
• 3-200-55 (pdf) for Recovery Permits and Interstate Commerce Permits
• 3-200-56 (pdf) for Incidental Take Permits Associated with Habitat Conservation Plans. NOTE: Please do not fill out or submit the application form until you contact our nearest Field Office. The Field Office will provide guidance on developing complete and adequate application materials and will determine when the application form and materials are ready for submission.

Grant Opportunities:

Wildlife Restoration Grants

State Wildlife Grant Program

Aquatic Resource Education

Sport Fish Restoration Program

Boating Access

Boating Infrastructure Grant Program

Hunter Education Program

Tribal Grant Opportunities:

Tribal Wildlife Grant Program

Tribal Landowner Incentive Grant Program