Federal Permits and Projects

Several statutes provide the primary authorities for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service involvement in Federal Activities planning.  The three primary authorities are the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (FWCA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).  A number of other mandates also apply to these activities, including the Clean Water Act (CWA), the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act, the Federal Water Project Recreation Act, and the Federal Power Act.

Using these authorities, the ARLES implements the Service mission through:

    Evaluating the impacts of development projects in north Texas on fish and wildlife resources during project planning;

    Making recommendations to mitigate (avoid, minimize, and compensate for) these impacts and enhance fish and wildlife; and

    Providing technical assistance to private individuals, organizations, and businesses regarding project impacts.

Efforts are made to become involved as early in the project planning process as possible to be the most effective in influencing project development before commitments of resources are made.

Through project planning activities and the NEPA process, the ARLES reviews projects planned by all Federal agencies and makes recommendations to mitigate adverse environmental impacts to fish and wildlife resources.  The benefits of successful environmental coordination include favorable resolution of natural resource conflicts, timely coordination of our activities pertaining to NEPA compliance, and more informed decision making.  The ARLES seeks to protect wetlands, uplands, river corridors, and deepwater habitats by ensuring that Federal projects (e.g., navigation, flood control, economic development) are designed to mitigate potential impacts on them.  We also attempt to protect rare and declining species and their habitats before actions such as Federal listings for endangered or threatened species become necessary.

The ARLES also investigates, evaluates, and makes recommendations on permit and license activities of several Federal agencies including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), and U.S. Forest Service.  Protecting the Nation’s remaining wetlands through the Corps-administered Clean Water Act section 404 regulatory program is essential to the fish and wildlife that depend on them.  We assist section 404 permit applicants and the Corps in identifying valuable wetlands, determining areas potentially suitable for disposal of dredged material, and developing mitigation banks.  Hydroelectric power projects licensed by FERC can result in significant impacts on the environment, such as blocking fish passage, injury to fish from passage over dams or through turbines, and reductions or fluctuations in river flow, which degrade or eliminate instream habitat.  Through our involvement in analyzing and preparing recommendations on these projects, we can influence the manner in which a permitted and/or licensed activity is carried out to help protect and enhance fish and wildlife resources.

Click here for recent ARLES Federal Permits Program publications.

More information regarding North Texas federal activities or permits and licenses can be obtained by contacting us.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with
others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and
their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.

All images Credit to and Courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service unless specified otherwise.