WSP09897

• File Number: 8407.500
• Description: Platte River Basin - River Basin General Publications - Missouri River
• State: CO
• Basin: South Platte
• Water Division: 1
• Date: 12/1/1978
• Author: MRBC
• Title: Missouri River Basin - State and Federal Water and Related Land Resource Program - Fiscal Years 1979-1985 - Volume One - Federal Agency Programs and Summary Tables
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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INTERIOR, DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
ENDANGERED SPECIES PROGRAM
IN THE MISSOURI RIVER BASIN

The Secretary of the Interior has delegated his responsibilities under the
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (87 Stat. 844), which authorizes the acti.vities
conducted under the endangered species program, to the Fish and Wildlife Service.
The goal of the endangered species program is to stop endemic plant and animal
species endangerments and extinctions caused by man's influence on wild ecosystems
and to return currently endangered or threatened species to population levels
where they are no longer endangered or threatened.

The Fish and Wildlife Service reviews the status of candidate plant and
animal species and lists those which are endangered or threatened in all or a
significant portion of their range. The act provides that Federal agencies shall
"ensure that actions authorized, funded, or carried out by them do not jeopardize
the continued existence of such endangered species and threatened species or
result in the destruction or modification of habitat of such species which is
determined by the secretary after consultation as appropriate with the affected
States to be critical." In accordance with section 7, when requested, the Fish
and Wildlife Service provides other Federal agencies with biological opinions on
the impacts of their activities on endangered and threatened species. The Fish
and Wildlife Service enters into cooperative agreements with the States for
management and protection of endangered and threatened species and administers
a program of grants-in-aid to the States for endangered and threatened species
conservation. The Fish and Wildlife Service also conducts law enforcement efforts
to decrease importations, exportations, and takings of endangered or threatened
species which violate the act. In cooperation with recovery teams which it ap-
points, and along with other Federal agencies, State Agencies, and private organi-
zations, the Fish and Wildlife Service develops and implements recovery plans
and programs for listed species to improve the status of the species.

The overall mission of the Fish and Wildlife Service is to provide the
Federal leadership to conserve, protect, and enhance fish and wildlife and their
habitat for the continuing benefit of the people.

Denver is headquarters for the Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 6, en-
compassing the States of Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, South Dakota, North
Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, and Missouri. Five Area Offices serve the Region.
They are located at Billings, Montana; Bismarch, North Dakota; Kansas City,
Missouri; Pierre, South Dakota; and Salt Lake City, Utah.

Traditionally, the Region has been rich in fish and wildlife resources.
Its prairie potholes and wetlands produce a major share of the Nation's water-
fowl. Its streams and lakes lure sport fishermen from allover the world. Elk,
antelope, deer, bighorn sheep, and a myriad of small mammals and birds inhabit
its uplands. The great grizzly bear still roams the most remote and wild areas.

Today, the face of the Region is changing at a rapid pace as man intensifies
his use of the land and its resources. Cities grow larger as greater industrial-