New Mexico

In 1946, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s River Basin Studies Program was founded in response to amendments to the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act and growing demands for more protection of fish and wildlife resources threatened by large federal water projects. The program created a growing network of field offices that would become today’s Ecological Services field offices. This brought fish and wildlife technical assistance to the public and state agencies throughout the country. Beginning with water development projects, the program’s responsibilities were later expanded to include reviews of most federal construction projects, endangered species, environmental contaminants and a variety of conservation partnerships and grants.  

The New Mexico Ecological Services Field Office, located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is primarily responsible for conservation management activities. These activities include endangered and threatened species conservation, habitat conservation planning, energy development, permits and licenses through the Endangered Species Act and National Environmental Policy Act compliance, pesticide use, water quality considerations, hazardous waste and oil spill cleanup, Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration, wetland and riparian habitat assessments, and Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program.