These timelines refer to consultations between the Fish & Wildlife Service and other federal agencies under Section 7 Section 7
Section 7 Consultation
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) directs all Federal agencies to work to conserve endangered and threatened species and to use their authorities to further the purposes of the Act. Section 7 of the Act, called "Interagency Cooperation," is the mechanism by which Federal agencies ensure the actions they take, including those they fund or authorize, do not jeopardize the existence of any listed species.
Learn more about Section 7 the Endangered Species Act of 1973. (Consultations involving non-federal parties can be conducted under Section 7 if there is a federal nexus. An example would be when a private party needs to get a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit to fill wetlands. The Corps would consult with us about the permit.) If we and the consulting agency think a project is likely to adversely affect a protected species, we conduct a formal consultation. If there may be an affect, but it is not expected to be adverse, we perform an informal consultation.
Type of document
Fact Sheet