DETERMINING WHETHER THREATENED OR ENDANGERED SPECIES OCCUR ON, OR IN THE VICINITY OF A PROPOSED PROJECT PARCEL
07/18/2008
The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) South Florida Ecological Services Office receives requests for review of parcels proposed for future development and other activities. These reviews focus on determining whether threatened and endangered species occur on, or in the vicinity of the proposed project sites. This letter provides a step-by-step protocol to determine whether federally listed species (threatened or endangered) are likely to occur on, or in the vicinity of a project site. The guidance on this protocol is specific to the south Florida Counties of Polk, Osceola, Hardee, Highlands, Okeechobee, Indian River, Saint Lucie, DeSoto, Sarasota, Charlotte, Glades, Martin, Lee, Hendry, Palm Beach, Collier, Broward, Dade and Monroe. This letter is in accordance with the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (87 Stat. 884; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act as amended (54 Stat. 250; 16 U.S.C. 668-668d), and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (40 Stat. 755; 16 U.S.C. 701 et seq.).
This self-guided review involves determining whether listed species are likely to occur on, or in the vicinity of your project site, and submitting the results of your review to the Service's South Florida Ecological Services Office.
Before you initiate a project site review, you will need a list of the habitat types found on, and adjacent to your project site. Read Steps 1 and 2 below before initiating a site review.
Step 1
- Refer to the threatened and endangered species list for the county of interest (download the .pdf file from the list on the right side of the screen).
- Using the list of habitat types on, and in the vicinity of the proposed project site, identify these habitat(s) and associated species in the county list.
- To access additional information on the species identified, click on the appropriate link in the first column of the list (blue rectangle).
- Review the species' Consultation Area. If your project site is not found within the species' consultation area, the subject threatened or endangered species is not likely to occur on or in the vicinity of your project.
- If the project site is found within a species Consultation Area, read the additional information on the biology, ecology, nest location, aggregations and regulatory guidance if applicable. A species-specific survey may be warranted.
- We assume listed species occur in suitable ecological communities and recommend site surveys to determine the presence or absence of listed species. Ecological communities suitable for listed species can be found in the species accounts in the South Florida Multi-Species Recovery Plan.
Step 2
Once you have decided a list of species likely to occur on, or in the vicinity of your project area, please fill out the Technical Assistance Request Form (download the .pdf on the right side of the screen), and mail it to the Service biologist associated with that county.
Thank you for your effort and cooperation in protecting federally listed threatened and endangered species and other wildlife resources.
List of Contact points for South Florida Counties
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