Streamlining the Endangered Species Consultation Process

摘要

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) and the U.S. Fish andWildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service (Service) have developedprocedures to better integrate the endangered species and hydropower licensingprocesses and facilitate compliance with section 7 of the Endangered Species Act(ESA). For licensing actions, the procedures will provide applicants with greaterinvolvement in the process and will ensure that endangered species issues areaddressed early in the process. The procedures will also ensure better integration of theendangered species consultation process with review of the license application,preparation of the environmental document, and the section 10(j) process. The postlicensingprocedures clarifies the steps that are taken to resolve endangered speciesissues once they are brought to the Commission's attention.