Endangered Species Act (ESA) Consultation Document

An Endangered Species Act (ESA) Consultation Document is a document that is prepared as part of the consultation process required under Section 7 of the federal Endangered Species Act. The ESA is a law that provides for the conservation of endangered and threatened species and their habitats, and requires federal agencies to consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) or the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to ensure that their actions do not jeopardize the continued existence of listed species or destroy or adversely modify their critical habitat. The consultation document is typically prepared by the federal agency proposing the action, in coordination with the FWS or NMFS, and is designed to provide a detailed analysis of the potential effects of the action on listed species and their habitats. The purpose of the consultation document is to provide a scientific and technical basis for the FWS or NMFS to make a determination as to whether the proposed action is likely to jeopardize the continued existence of listed species or destroy or adversely modify their critical habitat. The consultation document typically includes a description of the proposed action, a description of the affected environment and the listed species and their habitats, an analysis of the potential effects of the action on listed species and their habitats, and a discussion of any proposed conservation measures or mitigation strategies. The document should be based on the best available scientific and commercial data and should be prepared in accordance with the relevant ESA regulations and guidance. An Endangered Species Act Consultation Document typically includes a biological assessment, a biological opinion, and an incidental take statement. The document should be reviewed and approved by the FWS or NMFS and should be made available to the public. Endangered Species Act Consultation Documents are an important tool for ensuring that federal actions do not contribute to the extinction of listed species or the destruction of their critical habitats.