Laserfiche WebLink
<br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br /> <br />process typically allows more involvement by nonfederal participants than does a Section 7 <br />consultation or a RIP, and the Service performs an advisory rather than a regulatory function. <br /> <br />Two HCP alternatives are considered in the Feasibility Assessment: an HCP just for the four <br />listed fish (E-l), and an HCP for all listed and candidate species in the Study Area (E-2). <br /> <br />F. Alternative F: Legislation <br /> <br />Several different legislative routes are considered in the document, including exemption from <br />the ESA for the Lower Colorado River (considered highly unlikely), and implementing regional <br />conservation planning, such as has been done on the Columbia River through the Northwest <br />Power Act and in the Florida Everglades through the Everglades Forever Act. <br /> <br />G. Alternative G: Modified Habitat Conservation Plan <br /> <br />The Modified HCP is a hybrid that combines an HCP, RIP, Programmatic Section 7 agreement, <br />legislation, and Section 6 funding into a comprehensive management program. This strategy <br />takes advantage of the benefits offered by each of these approaches. An HCP would serve as <br />the core of the program, providing a comprehensive, coordinated conservation strategy for <br />critical habitat and threatened, endangered, and candidate species in the Study Area (as well as <br />a mechanism for incidental take authorization). A multi-species RIP would constitute the <br />mitigation component of the HCP that is usually satisfied by habitat preserves in terrestrially <br />oriented HCPs. The RIP would be supported in part by Section 6 funding. Specific legislation <br />would provide authorization and possibly funding. <br /> <br />H. Eliminated Alternatives <br /> <br />Two additional alternatives were considered and eliminated from further consideration: Section <br />4(d) Authorization and Section 6 Authorization. The rationale for their elimination is as follows: <br /> <br />1. Section 4(d) Authorization <br /> <br />Section 4(d) of the ESA allows the Secretary of the Department of the Interior (Secretary) to <br />issue special regulations to facilitate protection and recovery of a species listed as "threatened." <br /> <br />FINAL REPORT <br /> <br />December 20, 1994 <br />Page 5 <br />