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SUBJECTS › ENVIRONMENT › ESA Salmon › Endangered Species Act Section 7 Consultation and Biological Assessments
Updated 07/08

Endangered Species Act Section 7 Consultation and Biological Assessments

Contents

What is ESA Section 7?

Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. Section 1536(a)(2), requires all federal agencies to consult with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) for marine and anadromus species, or the United States Fish and Wildlife Services (FWS) for fresh-water and wildlife, if they are proposing an "action" that may affect listed species or their designated habitat. Action is defined broadly to include funding, permitting and other regulatory actions. (See 50 CFR §402.02  34 KB) For local governments, any project that requires a federal permit or receives federal funding is subject to Section 7.

Each federal agency is to insure that any action they authorize, fund, or carry out is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of a listed species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of designated critical habitat. This is done through consultation. If such species may be present, the local government must conduct a biological assessment (BA) for the purpose of analyzing the potential effects of the project on listed species and critical habitat in order to establish and justify an "effect determination" (assistance and coordination may be available from the state, especially with transportation projects). The federal agency reviews the BA and, if it concludes that the project may adversely affect a listed species or their habitat, it prepares a "biological opinion." The biological opinion may recommend "reasonable and prudent alternatives" to the proposed action to avoid jeopardizing or adversely modifying habitat. These so-called "RPAs" carry great weight with other federal agencies and are often treated as binding requirements.

Section 7 Reference

What is a Biological Assessment?

    Biological Assessment - A document prepared for the Section 7 process to determine whether a proposed major construction activity under the authority of a Federal action agency is likely to adversely affect listed species, proposed species, or designated critical habitat. [US Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered Species Glossary, Region 3]

    Biological Assessment - information prepared by, or under the direction of, a Federal agency to determine whether a proposed action is likely to: (1) adversely affect listed species or designated critical habitat; (2) jeopardize the continued existence of species that are proposed for listing; or (3) adversely modify proposed critical habitat. Biological assessments must be prepared for "major construction activities." See 50 CFR §402.02 ( 51 KB). The outcome of this biological assessment determines whether formal consultation or a conference is necessary. (50 CFR §402.02, 50 CFR §402.12). [US Fish and Wildlife Service Final ESA Section 7 Consultation Handbook, March 1998]

Requirements for Biological Assessments

 

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