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~~~ <br />United States Department of the Interior <br />FISH AI~iD WILDLIFE SERVICE ~~ ~ <br />1NASHINGTON, D.C. 20240 ~ ~ <br />nDDRESS ONLY THE DIRECTOR. <br />FI$li ANO WILDLIFE SERVICE <br />In Reply Refer To: <br />FWS/DHC/BFA ~ AF'R 6 Ids <br />Memorandum <br />To: Service Directorate <br />FrortF~P~ Director <br />Subject: The Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Environmental <br />Policy Act <br />On March 1, 1993, Secretary Babbitt asked all bureaus in the Department of <br />the Interior (Department) to rededicate their commitment to the policy set <br />forth in the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), with a-view <br />toward effective conservation and environmental protection (copy attached). <br />I strongly support the Secretary's commitment. <br />The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) leads the Department in providing <br />careful scrutiny and review of other Federal agency proposals during <br />external reviews. The purpose of these reviews by Service field and <br />Regional offices is to assist other agencies to adequately consider fish <br />and wildlife resources in their proposals and to incorporate measures to <br />protect and enhance resources under our stewardship. I strongly urge you <br />to provide your comments to other agencies early in their scoping process <br />to seek avoidance and potential resolution of conflicts. By providing <br />blear, concise, and detailed comments on agency "notices of intents," we <br />can be instrumental in the early resolution of important concerns on <br />wetlands, endangered species, migratory birds, and anadromous fish. <br />I strongly urge you to effectively utilize the planning and decisionmaking <br />functions of NEPA in the execution of Service proposals. Your plans should <br />reflect the Service's commitment to meeting the twin objectives of NEPA: <br />(1) the careful consideration of detailed information on significant <br />environmental impacts before decisionmaking; and (2) recognition of the <br />important role of the public in both the decisionmaking process and the <br />implementation of that decision. These objectives embody the principles of <br />NEPA to make better environmental decisions. <br />Our renewed attention to making effective use of NEPA will further the <br />resource programs of the Service and of the Department. <br />' / <br />Attachment <br />