Consultation Guidance

At the Southern Alaska Field Office, we assist federal agencies in meeting their Endangered Species Act (ESA) consultation obligations. We strive for federal actions to have the best possible outcomes for ESA listed species. Here, you will find Alaska- specific information to navigate the process. For background information and guidance on ESA section 7 consultation, read through the Southern Alaska ESA Section 7 Consult Guidance below. Or, visit the national ESA Section 7 Consultation webpage. 

Contact the Southern Alaska Fish and Wildlife Field Office by email at ak_fisheries@fws.gov with any questions or to initiate consultation.

Southern Alaska ESA Section 7 Consultation Guidance
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Southern Alaska ESA Section 7 Consultation Guidance

Background information and guidance on how to complete ESA Section 7 consultation with the Southern Alaska Fish and Wildlife Field Office. 

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Alaska Communities Determination Key

The Alaska Communities Determination Key (DKey) is a tool designed to streamline the ESA section 7 review of projects occurring in communities across Alaska. If your project occurs in the community footprint, this tool can help you quickly reach an ESA section 7 determination and supply you with the letter you need to move forward with your project. The DKey uses a logically structured series of questions to help the user determine whether a project qualifies. Any concurrence letters generated will become valid after a 30 day verification period. 

To get started, visit the Information for Planning and Consultation webpage. The DKey will be available after you have entered project specific information, including the location in Alaska. The determination key will only be available if your project overlaps with the range of ESA-listed species. A general tutorial on using a determination key is available online. 

Rationale for all effects determinations under this DKey can be found in the Standing Analysis, available below. 

An image of Alaska with all of the listed species overlain onto it.
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Standing Analysis: Alaska Communities Determination Key

This document provides background information and rationale for Endangered Species Act section 7 determinations made using the Alaska Communities Determination Key. 

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