ESA Implementation | Peer Review Process
Southwestern willow flycatcher.
Photo credit: Jim Rorabaugh/USFWS
In order to ensure the quality and credibility of the scientific information we use to make regulatory decisions, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has implemented a formal peer review process for influential scientific documents. While we have always consulted experts to ensure that our decisions are based on sound science, through this peer review process we follow the guidelines for federal agencies spelled out in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Final Information Quality Bulletin for Peer Review [263KB], released December 16, 2004.
Part of the peer review process is to provide information on the Web about how each peer review is to be conducted, as described in the checklist.
The Service also updated its policy guidance for conducting peer reviews on Endangered Species Act listing and recovery actions to ensure that the scientific peer review process is as rigorous, transparent, and consistent as possible. Download the full peer review guidance [356KB].
Peer Review Agenda for Domestic Species
We have identified the following domestic species species documents as meeting the OMB criteria of peer review for influential scientific information. Click on a title to get more information about that document and the peer review process we have set up for it. This list will be updated as necessary.
| Publication Date |
Document Title |
Status |
| March 14, 2019 |
Peer Review Plan for the Gray Wolf | Proposed Rule: Complete |
| May 31, 2019 |
Peer Review Report for the Gray Wolf |
Peer Review Agenda for Foreign Species
We have identified the following foreign species documents as meeting the OMB criteria of peer review for influential scientific information. Click on a title to get more information about that document and the peer review process we have set up for it. This list will be updated as necessary.
| Publication Date |
Document Title |
Status |
| February 26, 2018 |
Peer Review Plan for the Golden Conure – Species Status Assessment Report |
12-Month Finding/Proposed Rule: Complete Comments: 1, 2, 3, 4 |
| December 27, 2017 |
Peer Review Plan for the Yangtze sturgeon – Species Status Assessment Report |
Proposed Rule: Complete Comments: 1 |
| April 5, 2017 |
Removal of the Scarlet-Chested Parrot From the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife | Final Rule: Complete Comments: 1, 2, 3 |
| April 5, 2017 |
Removal of the Turquoise Parrot From the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife | Final Rule: Complete Comments: 1, 2 |
| April 7, 2016 |
Listing the Scarlet Macaw | Final Plan: In progress Comments: 1, 2 |
To learn more about projects scheduled for peer review in your area, please visit our regional peer review sites.
Region 1 – Pacific | California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, WashingtonRegion 2 – Southwest | Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas
Region 3 — Great Lakes, Big Rivers | Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin
Region 4 – Southeast | Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, U.S. Virgin Islands
Region 5 – Northeast | Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia
Region 6 – Mountain-Prairie | Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming
Region 7 – Alaska | Alaska
Region 8 – Pacific Southwest | California, Nevada