About this Collection

This determination key provided through IPaC is intended for projects funded or authorized by FHWA that require consultation with the Service under Section 7 of the ESA and may affect Missouri's listed species beyond the use of the FHWA, FRA, FTA Programmatic Consultation for Transportation Projects affecting IBAT, NLEB, or TCB

This FHWA Non-programmatic Transportation Projects Determination Key (DKey) was developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Missouri Ecological Services Field Office to help Missouri FHWA and DOTs efficiently evaluate how federally funded or approved transportation projects in Missouri may affect federally listed species and their designated critical habitats beyond the previously established Bat Programmatic. FHWA projects with Indiana bat, Northern Long-eared Bat, or Tricolored Bat on the species list should also use the FHWA, FRA, FTA Programmatic Consultation for Transportation Projects affecting IBAT, NLEB, or TCB. (Determination key also available in IPaC). However, this Dkey may be used for the Gray Bat, Ozark Big-eared Bat, and the Indiana Bat Critical Habitat. Furthermore, this DKey also covers the broad suite of other species and critical habitats occurring in Missouri, including fishes, hellbenders, cave obligates, mussels, crayfish, insects, and several threatened and endangered plant species.

Using project‑specific spatial information and user responses, the DKey provides standardized biological effect determinations such as “no effect,” “not likely to adversely affect (NLAA),” or “may affect.” These outcomes follow Service guidance and support Section 7 consultation requirements for FHWA and MODOT, while also offering technical assistance for “no effect” determinations when appropriate. Updates are made periodically as new listings, revised critical habitats, or improved scientific information become available.

Some transportation activities are not eligible for use of this DKey because they are complex, have a high likelihood of adverse impacts, or require a more in-depth, project-specific review by the Missouri Ecological Services Field Office. In summary, this DKey provides a practical, science‑based, and streamlined pathway for evaluating species and habitat effects under the ESA. It promotes consistency, transparency, and efficiency for transportation project planning while ensuring protection and conservation of Missouri’s federally listed species and their critical habitats

Standing Analysis Supporting this Dkey - The standing analysis for the FHWA Non-Programmatic Consultation for Transportation Projects (Missouri) provides the regulatory justification for decisions and effect determinations derived from the key. It documents the statutory and policy framework under the Endangered Species Act, the biological considerations specific to each species, and the geographic and project-based applicability of the DKey. This analysis ensures that each outcome of the key is transparent, legally defensible, and supported by the best available scientific information.

Please note: Projects in Missouri with potential to impact the Indiana bat, Northern Long-eared bat, and Tricolored bat should continue to utilize the programmatic agreement, see FHWA/FRA/FTA Section 7 Range-wide Consultation for Indiana Bat, Northern Long-eared Bat, and Tricolored Bat for additional information

For projects in which the Federal Highway Administration is not the lead federal agency, please see the Missouri Dkey

Watch our recorded webinar for an overview of the Missouri Determination Key and a step‑by‑step demonstration of how to use determination keys in Missouri.

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