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 * * * * * *
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY •
Section 7
Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (Act) [16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.] outlines the
procedures for Federal interagency cooperation to conserve Federally listed species and
designated critical habitats.
Proactive Conservation Efforts by Federal Agencies
Section 7(a)(1) directs the Secretary (Secretary of the Interior/Secretary of Commerce) to
review other programs administered by them and utilize such programs to further the
purposes of the Act. It also directs all other Federal agencies to utilize their authorities in
furtherance of the purposes of the Act by carrying out programs for the conservation of
species listed pursuant to the Act.
This section of the Act makes it clear that all Federal agencies should participate in the
conservation and recovery of listed threatened and endangered species. Under this provision,
Federal agencies often enter into partnerships and Memoranda of Understanding with the
Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) or the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) for
implementing and funding conservation agreements, management plans, and recovery plans
developed for listed species. Biologists for the Services should encourage the development •
of these types of partnerships and planning efforts to develop pro-active approaches to listed
species management.
Avoiding Adverse Effects of Federal Actions
Section 7(a)(2) states that each Federal agency shall, in consultation with the Secretary,
insure that any action they authorize, fund, or carry out is not likely to jeopardize the
continued existence of a listed species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of
designated critical habitat. In fulfilling these requirements, each agency must use the best
scientific and commercial data available. This section of the Act defines the consultation
process, which is further developed in regulations promulgated at 50 CFR §402.
The Handbook
This handbook was primarily developed to aid FWS and NMFS biologists implementing the
section 7 consultation process. The purpose of the handbook is to provide information and
guidance on the various consultation processes outlined in the regulations. Additionally, the
handbook will ensure consistent implementation of consultation procedures by those
biologists responsible for carrying out section 7 activities. Chapters of the handbook deal
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