United States Department of the Interior                                        FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE                                                   Washington, D.C. 20240

SUBJECT:      Protecting Wetlands for Fish and Wildlife: A Framework for the Fish and Wildlife Service's Role in Wetlands Regulatory Programs

A. POLICY: The framework for the Service's involvement in wetlands regulatory programs is appended.

B. SCOPE: All employees involved in regulatory activities affecting wetlands through the broad mandates of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, and other legislation such as the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956, Food Security Act, Anadromous Fish Conservation Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and the Endangered Species Act.

C. IMPLEMENTING INSTRUCTIONS: The following principles will guide the Service's involvement in wetland regulatory programs. Specific instructions for each principle are contained in the appendix.

1 .Focus on delivery of Service expertise in fish and wildlife ecology.
2. Base Service recommendations on sound and objective science.
3. Emphasize service to the public.
4. Promote flexibility of application.
5. Promote partnerships and interagency cooperation.
6. Use program resources efficiently and cost effectively.

D. INCORPORATION: This issuance incorporates the framework for the Service's role in wetlands regulatory programs into the National Policy Issuance system. The framework was adopted by the Acting Deputy Director - Line's memorandum of November 7, 1996.

Date:  31 Dec 96                                                                      Bruce Blanchard
                                                                                                Deputy Director - Staff

This appendix is available as a separate PDF file.  Click here ->  to open file.