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 * * * * * *
• elements) (a) essential to the conservation of the species and (b) which may require special
management considerations or protection; and (2) specific areas outside the geographical area
occupied by the species at the time it is listed in accordance with the provisions of section 4
of the Act, upon a determination by the Secretary that such areas are essential for the
conservation of the species. [ESA §3 (5)(A)] Designated critical habitats are described in 50
CFR § 17 and 226.
Cumulative effects - are those effects of future State or private activities, not involving
Federal activities, that are reasonably certain to occur within the action area of the Federal
action subject to consultation. [50 CFR §402.021 This definition applies only to section 7
analyses and should not be confused with the broader use of this term in the National
Environmental Policy Act or other environmental laws.
Designated non-Federal representative - the person, agency, or organization designated by
the Federal agency as its representative to conduct informal consultation or prepare a
biological assessment. The non-Federal representative must be designated by giving written
notice to the Director. If a permit or license applicant is involved and is not the designated
non-Federal representative, then the applicant and the Federal agency must agree on the
choice of the designated non-Federal representative. [50 CFR §402.02, 50 CFR §402.08]
Destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat - a direct or indirect alteration that
• appreciably diminishes the value of critical habitat for both the survival and recovery of a
listed species. Such alterations include, but are not limited to, alterations adversely
modifying any of those physical or biological features that were the basis for determining the
habitat to be critical. [50 CFR §402.02]
Director - the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries for the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration; or the Fish and Wildlife Service Regional Director; or their
respective authorized representative. [50 CFR §402.02]
Distinct Population Segment - "population," or "distinct population segment," are terms
with specific meaning when used for listing, delisting, and reclassification purposes to
describe a discrete vertebrate stock that may be added or deleted from the list of endangered
and threatened species. The use of the term "distinct population segment" will be consistent
with the Services' population policy. [61 FR 4722-4725 (February 7, 1996)]
Early consultation - a preliminary consultation requested by a Federal agency on behalf of a
prospective permit or license applicant prior to the filing of an application for a Federal
permit or license. [50 CFR §402.111
Effects of the action - the direct and indirect effects of an action on the species or critical
habitat, together with the effects of other activities that are interrelated or interdependent with
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