Using its authorities under the
Fish and Wildlife Coordination
Act, National
Environmental Policy Act,
Clean Water Act,
Federal Power Act,
and other statutes, the Fish and Wildlife Service works closely with other
federal agencies in consideration of water resource development project
planning and possible impacts on fish and wildlife. The Service provides
ecological advice and assistance to federal, state and tribal agencies,
private industry and the public, when either federal dollars or federally
permitted activities are involved, to protect and conserve fish and wildlife
resources and their habitats. For example, the Service reviews and makes
recommendations on permit and license activities of several federal agencies,
including the
U.S. Army corps of
Engineers (COE) and
Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission. Through this planning, the Fish and Wildlife
Service strives to protect wetlands, uplands, river corridors and other
important habitat by coordinating on projects in order to minimize adverse
impacts to fish and wildlife and their habitats.
Special consideration is given by the
Service to proposed developments that may result in the modification of
wetlands, streams or other important habitats, including upland and riparian
areas. Some examples of projects the Montana Field Office is involved in
include federal water development projects, flood control projects, highway
projects, utility lines, wastewater facilities, communication towers and COE
Section 404 permit review. Habitat alterations may adversely impact
migratory birds or threatened or
endangered species. In these situations, the
Service may recommend ways to avoid, minimize or compensate for adverse
impacts to important or sensitive fish and wildlife and their habitat.
The
National Wetlands Inventory is important to the planning of wetland
projects. NWI produces paper and digital wetlands maps, including the
characteristics, extent and status of the nations wetlands. This information
is used for many purposes including developing floodplain management plans,
developing endangered species recovery plans, managing and acquiring habitat,
restoration activities and preventing wetlands loss and degradation.
Federal Activities Related
Links:
USFWS
Division of Federal Program Activities
USFWS Division of Habitat
Resource and Conservation
USFWS Permits
USFWS Division of Migratory Bird
Management
List of
Migratory Birds
USFWS
and Communication Towers
Montana Wetlands Information
Clearinghouse
USFWS and Wind Energy
Development
Section 4(f) of the 1966
Transportation Act
