8063

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 8063
• Author: Colorado River Fish and Wildlife Council.
• Title: Minutes, Colorado River Fish and Wildlife Council - April 22-23, 1998.
• USFW Year: 1998.
• USFW - Doc Type: Las Vegas, Nevada.
• Copyright Material: NO

Secretary and the heads of Federal agencies to provide technical assistance or guidance to States
or persons developing such plans. Establishes deadlines for plan approval.
Allows the Secretary to issue a permit for a low effect activity authorizing an
otherwise prohibited taking if the activity will have no more than a negligible effect on the
species, any taking will be incidental, and the taking will not appreciably reduce the likelihood
of the survival and recovery of the species in the wild. Requires the Secretary to minimize
permitting costs by developing model permit applications that will constitute conservation plans
for low effect activities.
Requires conservation plans to include a "no surprises" provision such that a
person who is in compliance with a plan may not be required to undertake additional mitigation
measures for a species covered by the plan if such measures would require additional money or
the adoption of additional use, development, or management restrictions on land, waters, or
water-related rights that would otherwise be available under the plan. Provides for the
identification of plan modifications or other measures that may be required under extraordinary
circumstances.
Authorizes the Secretary to enter into candidate conservation agreements with a
non-Federal person for a species that is proposed for listing, is a candidate species, or is likely to
become a candidate species. Sets forth conditions for approval of such agreements. Includes a
"no surprises" provision in such agreements as well.
Provides for public participation in the development of multiple species
conservation plans and permit applications.
Authorizes the Secretary to enter into safe harbor agreements with non-Federal
persons to benefit the conservation of endangered or threatened species by creating, restoring, or
improving habitat or by maintaining currently unoccupied habitat for such species. Requires the
Secretary, under such agreements, to permit the person to take endangered or threatened species
on lands or waters subject to the agreement if the taking is incidental to, and not the purpose of,
an otherwise lawful activity. Prescribes a mutually agreed upon baseline requirement that will,
at a minimum, maintain existing conditions for the species. Authorizes the baseline to be
expressed in terms of the abundance or distribution of species, quantity or quality of habitat, or
other appropriate indicators.
Provides for grants of up to $10,000 to any private landowner to carry out such
agreements, subject to the availability of appropriations.
Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish a habitat reserve program to be
implemented through contracts or easements to assist non-Federal property owners in preserving
and managing suitable habitat for endangered and threatened species; and (2) make payments to
such property owners for carrying out an agreement, if the activities carried out are not
otherwise required by the Act. Authorizes appropriations.

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