FEDERAL PROJECTS AND PERMITS

 

Through the Service's Conservation Planning Assistance Program, we provide technical assistance, review, and make recommendations for projects that involve federal funding or authorizations, and which may impact natural resources.

 

Our role in the planning process is to help other Federal agencies develop projects that avoid impacts to natural resources. We accomplish that by identifying project aspects which might impact fish, wildlife, aquatic, and other natural resources, or affect federally threatened or endangered species.

 

We provide review and comment on Pre-Construction Notices or Public Notices proposed for authorization by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers under section 404 of the Clean Water Act or section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act. Our review and comment focuses on ensuring that projects avoid, minimize, or compensate impacts to wetlands, fish and wildlife, migratory birds, and endangered and threatened species.

 

Pre-Permitting Coordination/Early Consultation

If you are planning a project that may require a federal permit or is federally-funded, and which may impact aquatic or other fish and wildlife resources, project proponents can request early coordination. Early coordination may save a great deal of time because it allows all parties an opportunity to identify and address project components that may be problematic to Service trust resources, such as endangered and threatened species, migratory birds, or federal lands.

 

To initiate early coordination, you may call us, or send a cover letter describing the location (including GPS coordinates in decimal degrees, taken at the center of the project site AND legal description of property) and major components of the project, copies of preliminary plans (if available), and a clearly highlighted (e.g., bold-type) request for early coordination to:

 

Louise Clemency, Field Supervisor
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Chicago Illinois Field Office
230 South Dearborn St., Suite 3300
Chicago, Illinois 60604

 

Why do other Federal agencies work with the Service?

The role of the Service in consulting with other Federal Agencies is governed by various administrative rules and acts of Congress. These most commonly include the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

 

Links to Federal Partners

While our Conservation Planning role could at times dictate that we interact with virtually any other Federal agency, there are several with which we work on a regular and recurring basis. Links below will take you to the to the local offices or national programs of our partner agencies.

 

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)

 

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)

 

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

 

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District

 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5 (USEPA)

 

U.S. Forest Service, Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie

 

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

 

For more information about our involvement with Conservation Planning, or to request assistance with preparing pre-application planning documents, contact Shawn Cirton.

 

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