9629

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 9629
• Author: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
• Title: Selected NEPA Documents.
• USFW Year: 1993.
• USFW - Doc Type: \
• Copyright Material: NO

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Whenever possible, measures needed to make the proposed action compatible
with fish and wildlife resources should be provided.
(2) Specific EIS sections which usually require Service attention include,
"Purpose and Need," the range of "Alternatives," and "Environmental
Consequences." In fulfilling the purpose of NEPA, these are the most
important sections in the EIS. The Service reviewer should ensure that the
EIS satisfactorily addresses the following concerns and issues.
(a) Service concerns previously provided during the scoping process.
(b) Service positions outlined in planning aid letters and reports,
especially those related to the proposed action, mitigation, and enhancement.
(c) Evidence of proper coordination and initiation of consultation, when
applicable, under the Endangered Species Act.
(d) An analysis of potential direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts that
could occur for each alternative considered.
(e) An analysis of incomplete or unavailable information related to
potential significant adverse impacts to fish and wildlife resources,
pursuant to 40 CFR 1502.22.
(f) An accurate representation of any written input by the Service as a
cooperating agency with regard to policy, technical accuracy, methodologies,
or professional/expert opinion.
(g) Impacts clearly defined for each alternative on a comparable basis so
the least environmentally damaging alternative can be readily identified.
(h) Description of habitat protection/mitigation measures and specific
wording on how these measures will be implemented. CEQ's NEPA regulations
require that mitigation measures be identified in the EIS, and, to the
fullest extent possible, the adverse impacts of major Federal actions.
Service mitigation recommendations should be based on and in compliance
with the Service Mitigation Policy (501 FW 2).
(i) An adequate evaluation required by other environmental laws and
Executive Orders (EOs) within Service jurisdiction and expertise; such as
assessments required for permits for activities on lands managed by the
Service, assessments to determine compliance with EOs 11988 and 11990
(floodplains and wetlands), compliance with the Coastal Barriers Resources
Act, and adequate analysis of section 10 and 404 permit requirements,
especially when the lead agency intends to seek an exemption by
implementing section 404(r) of the Clean Water Act, as amended.
(j) An adequate evaluation of impacts to Service facilities, such as
national fish hatcheries and units of the National Wildlife Refuge System;
major projects funded solely or in part through Service grants; or other
major programs or activities for which the Service has jurisdiction by law.