Project Reviews | Ecological Services–Virginia Field Office | Northeast Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Project Review Guidelines

To evaluate a project for potential impacts to federally listed species, we recommend you complete the following steps prior to corresponding with this office.

Determine if federally listed species occur in your project area (see county/city species lists).
For each species that occurs in the county/city, you should review the species fact sheet to determine whether your project area contains habitat for the species. In some cases, you will be able to rule out some species (ex: an inland project in Virginia Beach will not affect a nesting sea turtle). Usually, however, you will need to proceed to step 3.
If a non-insect animal may occur in your project area, you should coordinate with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. If a plant or an insect may occur in your project area, you should coordinate with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage. The state agencies listed below will review their databases (they have separate databases, so you should check with both agencies).

VA Dept of Game and Inland Fisheries
Environmental Services Section
P.O. Box 11104
Richmond, VA 23230
(804) 367-1000

VA Dept of Conservation and Recreation
Division of Natural Heritage
217 Governor St., 2nd Floor
Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 786-7951
If both state agencies determine that no species are present, you can assume that the project is not likely to adversely effect a federally listed species, and consultation with this office is not required. If, however, either state agency identifies the presence of a federally listed species you should coordinate with this office at the following address:

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
6669 Short Lane
Gloucester, VA 23061
(804)693-6694