8111

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 8111
• Author: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service.
• Title: Endangered Species Consultation Handbook
• USFW Year: 1998.
• USFW - Doc Type: Procedures for Conducting Consultation and Conference Activities Under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act.
• Copyright Material: NO

* * * * * * Final ESA Section 7 Consultation Handbook, March 1998 * * * * * *
• Best available scientific and commercial data - to assure the quality of the biological,
ecological, and other information used in the implementation of the Act, it is the policy of the
Services to: (1) evaluate all scientific and other information used to ensure that it is reliable,
credible, and represents the best scientific and commercial data available; (2) gather and
impartially evaluate biological, ecological, and other information disputing official positions,
decisions, and actions proposed or taken by the Services; (3) document their evaluation of
comprehensive; technical information regarding the status and habitat requirements for a
species throughout its range, whether it supports or does not support a position being
proposed as an official agency position; (4) use primary and original sources of information
as the basis for recommendations; (5) retain these sources referenced in the official document
as part of the administrative record supporting an action; (6) collect, evaluate, and complete
all reviews of biological, ecological, and other relevant information within the schedules
established by the Act, appropriate regulations, and applicable policies; and (7) require
management-level review of documents developed and drafted by Service biologists to verify
and assure the quality of the science used to establish official positions, decisions, and actions
taken by the Services during their implementation of the Act. [59 FR 34271 (July 1, 1994)]
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. The outcome of this
biological assessment determines whether formal consultation or a conference is necessary.
[50 CFR §402.02, 50 CFR §402.12]
Biological opinion - document which includes: (1) the opinion of the Fish and Wildlife
Service or the National Marine Fisheries Service as to whether or not a Federal action is
likely to jeopardize the continued existence of listed species, or result in the destruction or
adverse modification of designated critical habitat; (2) a summary of the information on
which the opinion is based; and (3) a detailed discussion of the effects of the action on listed
species or designated critical habitat. [50 CFR §402.02, 50 CFR §402.14(h)]
Candidate species - plant and animal taxa considered for possible addition to the List of
Endangered and Threatened Species. These are taxa for which the Fish and Wildlife Service
has on file sufficient information on biological vulnerability and threat(s) to support issuance
of a proposal to list, but issuance of a proposed rule is currently precluded by higher priority
listing actions. [61 FR 7596-7613 (February 28, 1996)]
Conference - a process of early interagency cooperation involving informal or formal
discussions between a Federal agency and the Services pursuant to section 7(a)(4) of the Act
regarding the likely impact of an action on proposed species or proposed critical habitat.
Conferences are: (1) required for proposed Federal actions likely to jeopardize proposed
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