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. - formal consultation is usually initiated by the action agency <br />through the request for a species list (i.e. list of threatened or <br />endangered species within the project area) and /or preparation of <br />a biological assessment that outlines the proposed action and <br />its effects on listed species and /or critical habitat; <br />- biological assessments shall include : <br />-- an accurate analysis of the proposed activity and its <br />effect(s) on all listed and proposed species and critical <br />habitat. The Assessment must be based on the best <br />scientific and commercial data available, <br />-- an analysis of interrelated and interdependent <br />activities (i.e. activities that part of a larger action and <br />depend on the larger action for their justification and /or have <br />no independent utility apart from the action under <br />consideration), <br />- -an analysis cumulative effects (non - federal activities <br />likely to happen in the action area). <br />formal consultation concludes with a biological opinion of not <br />likely to jeopardize OR will jeopardize the continued <br />existence of the listed species; <br />- all biological opinions must: <br />-- be based on the "best scientific and commercial date <br />available", <br />-- consider the effect of the action , together with <br />interrelated and interdependent activities and <br />cumulative effects on listed species and /or critical habitat <br />in concert with the existing environmental baseline, <br />-- include an incidental take statement that identifies the <br />level of `take' of listed species (if any) that may result from, <br />but is not the purpose of, the proposed action. An incidental <br />• <br />5 <br />