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This document serves as the Standing Analysis for the New Mexico Statewide No Effect Determination Key (DKey). Developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s New Mexico Ecological Services Field Office, this Standing Analysis provides a streamlined review process and proactive technical assistance to federal action agencies in making a “no effect” (NE) determination for actions in New Mexico. It is intended for use with the Information for Planning and Consultation (IPaC) tool. 

The purpose of these documents is to provide recommendations for standardizing and streamlining Endangered Species Action (ESA) section 7 consultations for listed plant species and their designated critical habitats. These documents are not formal guidance on how to analyze and mitigate potential effects to plant species; rather, they are intended to be a resource for practitioners conducting section 7 consultations involving plants in New Mexico.

The main document outlines the responsibilities of action agencies under the Act, information needed to analyze effects to plants, and an analysis method and considerations for reaching biologically sound and defensible effects determinations and as needed, designing effective conservation measures and/or preparing biological evaluations or assessments. Action agency biologists or their designated representatives can apply these recommendations to reach section 7 effects determinations, document their rationales, and solicit technical assistance, concurrence, or a biological opinion from New Mexico Ecological Services Field Office (NMESFO). Although primarily targeted toward action agency staff, other groups participating in the consultation process should find these recommendations helpful for conserving and recovering plant species.

These recommendations were developed based on the best available information and in coordination with agency partners. This is not new guidance, policy, or regulation; it is simply a synthesis of information to assist section 7 practitioners in achieving conservation of Federally listed plants in New Mexico. Additionally, these recommendations should not be assumed to satisfy the expectations of any other entity and nothing in this document supersedes applicable laws, regulations, policy, and/or formal orders. While we believe this document to contain timely and accurate information compiled from reliable sources, we make no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the contents of this document. We encourage application of our standards and recommendations, as we believe that they will streamline, and enhance conservation outcomes from, the section 7 consultation process. Conservation is a constantly evolving practice, and we intend to revise this document as new information becomes available and as regulations and policies change. If you notice any errors or omissions, become aware of existing or new relevant information, or are interested in discussing these resources, we encourage you to notify us at nmesfo@fws.gov. 

Documents included in this collection are (1) recommendations for ESA Section 7 Consultations involving plants in New Mexico and (2) minimum standards for botanical surveys for target plant species (including proposed and candidate species). Also included in this collection are summaries of federally listed plant species' biology and their range and habitat (Appendix A); an evaluation of each species’ spatial vulnerability based on the sensitivity of its reproductive, demographic, and habitat traits (Appendix B) and a literature review of papers summarizing the impacts of different activities on plants (Appendix C). A downloadable Zotero library of Section 7 botany literature references is available here. 

Documentation of the New Mexico Candidate Conservation Agreement (CCA)/Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCAA) for the Lesser Prairie Chicken (LPC) and Dunes Sagebrush Lizard (DSL) and subsequent amendments. These are voluntary conservation agreements between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and one or more public or private parties. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with its partners to identify threats to candidate species (or species at risk), plan the measures needed to address the threats and conserve these species, identify willing landowners, develop agreements, and design and implement conservation measures and monitor their effectiveness. 

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