new york state wetlands forum sullivan - wildlife and energy.pdf · 06/04/2016 · new york state...
TRANSCRIPT
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New York State Wetlands Forum
US Fish and Wildlife Service Regulatory Update
Presented by Tim Sullivan
6 April, 2016
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Topics to Cover
FWS Mitigation Policy
MBTA
BGEPA
ESA
Initiatives/Priorities
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Revised FWS Mitigation Policy
March 2016 proposed policy published in the FR
Comments accepted until May 7
Google: “FWS mitigation policy” or go to http://www.regulations.gov
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Revised FWS Mitigation Policy
How we got here Service’s motivation and goals - updates 1981 policy
Differences between 1981 and 2016 policies
Affirms hierarchy approach but now flexible New landscape-scale emphasis – provide linkages Now encompasses all FWS programs Now incorporates adaptive management 2016 policy Includes ESA which was previously omitted Expands mitigation recommendations to non-trust resources Now considers compensatory mitigation to be acceptable approach for ESA listed species
Not retroactive but can be applied to projects under review at time of final rule
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Revised FWS Mitigation Policy
GOALS Ensure consistency and transparency Obtain net conservation gain Be science based Have durability – financial assurances Be effective – occur before impact if possible
Give preference to advanced mitigation based upon landscape scale
Introduces habitat valuation – consider scarcity, suitability and importance Encourages the banking of habitat value FWS will develop policy, guidance documents and handbooks
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Migratory Bird Treaty Act
Over 1,000 species protected
MBTA is a strict liability statute
Currently no permit allowed for incidental take
May 2015 FWS issues NOI on scope of PEIS
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Proposed MBTA Incidental Take Permit Several approaches possible
General authorization
Individual permits
Memoranda of Understanding for federal agencies
Industry-specific voluntary guidance
Compensatory mitigation options are under consideration for bird
take
More information available at BirdRegs.org
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Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act
August 2015 US District Court reversed the 30 year permit – now 5 years
February 2016 Proposed revised policy published in the FR
FWS currently completing EIS
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Improving ESA Implementation
Focus on recovery Provide conservation incentives Increase public participation Ensure clear and consistent policies
Base decisions on sound science Reduce the frequency and intensity of conflicts
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Recent ESA Policy Revisions
50 CFR 402 – Incidental take statements final rule
50 CFR 424 – Implementing changes to the
regulations for designating critical habitat Policy on exclusion from critical habitat 50 CFR 424.19 - Definition of destruction or
adverse modification of critical habitat
Policy regarding the role of state agencies in ESA activities
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ESA Proposed Policy Revisions
Policy regarding criteria for prioritizing listing actions
Revised petition regulations
Compensatory Mitigation Policy – proposed policy….coming soon
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Previous ESA Policy Revisions
Voluntary prelisting conservation actions - 2014
Economic impact analysis of critical habitat – 2013
See: www.fws.gov/endangered/improving_ESA /
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ESA Litigation
Dunes sagebrush lizard
March 2016 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals decision found that FWS can use conservation agreements to forgo listing a species based upon conservation agreements
Court gave deference to FWS judgment
Highlights the importance of partnerships and voluntary agreements to protect suitable habitat
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ESA Listing Proposals
• Eastern massasauga rattlesnake – proposed threatened • Multiple positive 90-day Findings
– Blandings, wood and spotted turtles – Rusty patched bumble bee – Bog buckmoth – Bicknell’s thrush – Eastern hellbender – Black rail – Longhead darter
• 71 species currently nationwide
• See www.fws.gov/endangered/improving_ESA/listing
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ESA Overview
40-year history, the ESA has prevented the probable extinction of hundreds of species
27 species successfully recovered and delisted – 13 species under Obama Administration
22 species downlisted from endangered to threatened – 7 species under Obama Administration
Constantly working to improve ESA Implementation
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FWS Priorities/Initiatives
• Priority Species – Monarch butterfly initiative – Lesser prairie chicken – Sage grouse
• Urban refuges/connecting people with nature • Revised habitat conservation plan handbook • Improve peer review • Improve information disclosure • Strategic habitat conservation • Address climate change • New best practices document for reducing avian collisions with buildings
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Questions?
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NYFO Priorities
• Species Recovery
• Energy
• Strategic Habitat Conservation
• Climate Change