About this Collection
The Nebraska Endangered Species Determination Key (DKey) is an interactive tool developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Nebraska Ecological Services Field Office to help project proponents navigate the requirements of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) more efficiently. Delivered through the Information for Planning and Consultation (IPaC) platform, this tool serves as a streamlined pathway for evaluating potential impacts of proposed projects on federally listed species and their critical habitats across Nebraska. The Nebraska DKey simplifies the often-complex ESA consultation process by guiding users through a structured series of questions tailored to their project’s location and scope. Based on responses and spatial data, the tool produces pre-determined biological effect outcomes such as “no effect,” “not likely to adversely affect,” or “may affect.” These outcomes are designed to reflect the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s recommended determinations and may be used to complete section 7 consultations for federal actions or to obtain technical assistance for non-federal projects.