Peer Review of Scientific Information
Enhancing the Quality and Credibility of Information
In order to improve the quality and credibility of the scientific information we use to make regulatory decisions, the Fish and Wildlife Service has implemented a formal "peer review" process for influential scientific documents.
While we have always consulted experts to ensure that our decisions are based on sound science, through this peer review process we follow the guidelines for Federal agencies spelled out in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
"Final Information Quality Bulletin for Peer Review," (PDF, 263 KB) released December 16, 2004.
Part of the peer review process is to provide information on the Web about how each peer review is to be conducted, as described in this checklist.
Peer Review Agenda
We have identified the following documents as meeting the OMB criteria of peer review for influential scientific information. Click on a title to get more information about that document and the peer review process we have set up for it. This list will be updated as necessary.
| Posting Date |
Draft Document Title |
| May 20, 2013 |
Peer Review Plan for the Methodologies to Evaluate and Develop Minimum
Recommended Survey Effort for Indiana Bats (1-page PDF) |
| November 26, 2012 |
Peer Review Plan for the Listing Decision for the Northern Long-eared Bat (Myotis septentrionalis) 2-page PDF |
| April 30, 2012 |
Proposed Listing for Grotto Sculpin and Designation of Critical Habitat (PDF)
Proposed Listing for Poweshiek Skipperling and Dakota Skipper and Designation of Critical Habitat (PDF) |
| August 20, 2009 |
Proposal to Delist the Lake Erie Watersnake (PDF)
Proposal to Designate Critical Habitat for the Tumbling Creek Cavesnail (PDF) |
| July 17, 2009 |
12-month petition finding under the Endangered Species Act for the coaster brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) |
| July 16, 2008 |
Proposal to list the Ozark hellbender,
Proposal to list the rayed bean and snuffbox,
Proposal to list the sheepnose and spectaclecase. |
| August 14, 2006 |
12-Month Petition Finding under the Endangered Species Act for the Cerulean Warbler (Dendroica cerulea) |
| December 16, 2005 |
Proposed Designation of the Western Great Lakes Population of Gray Wolves as a Distinct Population Segment and Proposed Delisting of that Distinct Population Segment |
| March 28, 2006 |
Copperbelly watersnake draft recovery plan |
| March 28, 2006 |
Indiana bat draft revised recovery plan |
| March 28, 2006 |
Proposed designation of critical habitat for the Hine's emerald dragonfly |
| March 28, 2006 |
Post-delisting monitoring plan for the bald eagle |
| August 11, 2006 |
Post-Delisting Monitoring Plan for the Western Great Lakes Distinct Population Segment of Gray Wolves |
