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 * * * * * *
are contemporaneous positive effects without any adverse effects to the species. •
Insignificant effects relate to the size of the impact and should never reach the scale where
take occurs. Discountable effects are those extremely unlikely to occur. Based on best
judgment, a person would not: (1) be able to meaningfully measure, detect, or evaluate
insignificant effects; or (2) expect discountable effects to occur. [Clarification of usage]
Jeopardize the continued existence of - to engage in an action that reasonably would be
expected, directly or indirectly, to reduce appreciably the likelihood of both the survival and
recovery of a listed species in the wild by reducing the reproduction, numbers, or distribution
of that species. [50 CFR §402.02]
Letter - refers to all written correspondence, such as letters, memoranda, or electronic mail
messages, relating to a formal or informal consultation. {Clarification of usage]
Listed species - any species of fish, wildlife or plant which has been determined to be
endangered or threatened under section 4 of the Act. [50 CFR §402.02]
Major construction activity - a construction project (or other undertaking having similar
physical effects) which is a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the
human environment as referred to in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA, 42
U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)). [50 CFR §402.02]
•
May affect -the appropriate conclusion when a proposed action may pose an effects on
listed species or designated critical habitat. When the Federal agency proposing the action
determines that a "may affect" situation exists, then they must either initiate formal
consultation or seek written concurrence from the Services that the action "is not likely to
adversely affect" [see definition above] listed species. [Clarification of usage]
Minor change rule - when preparing incidental take statements, the Services must specify
reasonable and prudent measures and their implementing terms and conditions to minimize
the impacts of incidental take that do not alter the basic design, location, scope, duration, or
timing of the action, and that involve only minor changes. [50 CFR §402.14(1)(2)]
NMFS - the National Marine Fisheries Service.
No effect - the appropriate conclusion when the action agency determines its proposed action
will not affect a listed species or designated critical habitat. [Clarification of usage]
Occupied critical habitat - critical habitat that contains individuals of the species at the time
of the project analysis. A species does not have to occupy critical habitat throughout the year
for the habitat to be considered occupied (e.g. migratory birds). Subsequent events affecting
the species may result in this habitat becoming unoccupied. [Clarification of usage]
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