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* * * * * * Final ESA Section 7 Consultation Handbook, March 1998 * * * * * * <br />----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- <br />actions can be modified so there is no need for formal consultation. The Services should • <br />ensure that all information needed to make an informed decision is made available. It is <br />particularly critical when formal consultation begins that all parties are fully involved in <br />providing information and discussing project options. Although it is the responsibility of the <br />Services to make the determination of jeopardy or destruction/adverse modification in the <br />biological opinion, action agencies and applicants should be fully informed and involved in <br />the development of Reasonable and Prudent Alternatives, Reasonable and Prudent Measures, <br />and Terms and Conditions to minimize the impacts of incidental take. Biologists should be <br />creative in problem solving and look for ways to conserve listed species while still <br />accommodating project goals. <br />Coordination <br />The Services have a policy to ensure coordination with State Agencies for gathering <br />information in implementing the consultation program. [59 FR 34274-34275 (July 1, 1994)] <br />The Services have a joint policy on coordination with tribal governments. Secretarial Order <br />#32306 (June 5, 1997) entitled "American Indian Tribal Rights, Federal-Tribal Trust <br />Responsibilities, and the Endangered Species Act" recognizes that the consultation process <br />should include input from affected tribal governments. State and tribal government <br />biologists often have information available that is pertinent to the description of the action <br />area or to the species of interest in the consultation. • <br />Shortening Timeframes <br />Recently, the Services have been implementing measures to streamline consultation <br />processes. Examples include projects reviewed under the Northwest Forest Plan and <br />nationwide Timber Salvage Program. These procedures have been able to effectively shorten <br />consultation timeframes without giving up any protection for listed species/designated critical <br />habitats or the use and review of the best available information. This has been achieved <br />through enhanced interagency coordination, development of guidelines for implementation of <br />a larger program (i.e. timber salvage) which can tier to an individual project (timber sale), <br />and by providing consultation simultaneously with project analysis under the National <br />Enviromnental Policy Act (NEPA). Biologists for the Services are encouraged to review <br />examples of these streamlined consultations and to look for ways to incorporate streamlining <br />techniques into other consultation procedures. <br />xxii 0