Overview of the Endangered Species Act

Description

Participants learn about the requirements and procedures for complying with the Endangered Species Act. The course reviews the history of the law, the listing process, the Section 7 consultation process, and the Section 10 permit process.

Objectives

Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to do the following:

  • Understand the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and its requirements and regulations

  • Understand the implications if ESA is violated

  • Know how to provide input into the listing of endangered and threatened species under the ESA.

  • Know how to consult under Section 7 of ESA, formally and informally

  • Understand the roles and responsibilities of the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)

Content

We tailor each workshop to meet the needs of the participants. The basic format of the interactive workshop includes the following components:

  • Reviewing the ESA
    Understand the rationale behind the passage of The Endangered Species Act of 1973, including the importance of species diversity and the history of lost species and habitat.

  • Violating ESA
    Learn the civil and criminal penalties for violating ESA.

  • Reviewing the ESA Listing Process
    Understand the process for listing species and designating critical habitat.  Understand requirements and opportunities for State, Tribal and individual input to listing decisions. Understanding the Section 7 Consultation and Conference Processes

  • Learn what triggers ESA and the Section 7
    Understand federal agency obligations under ESA Section 7, the differences between formal and informal consultation processes and when each applies.  Learn what triggers the ESA Conference process and what it entails.

  • Reviewing the Role of the USFWS and the NMFS
    Understand how the USFWS and NMFS are the “gatekeepers” for ESA. Learn about the responsibility of these agencies to prepare biological opinions indicating jeopardy or no jeopardy, and incidental take statements.

  • Brief Review of the Section 10 Permit Process
    Explore the issuance of incidental take permits, including requirements for mitigation. Review the requirements for habitat conservation plans and the role and requirements of conservation benefit agreements.

Audience

Participants for this training generally include resource managers, environmental planners, agency decisionmakers, resource specialists, and others who need an overview of the ESA process.

Process

Endangered Species Act Overview is an interactive workshop designed with both new and experienced resource managers in mind. For optimal learning, class size is limited to 30 participants.This 1- or 2-day workshop consists of a carefully designed combination of the following:

  • 80% Lecture

  • 20% Exercises

Materials

Participants receive a comprehensive workshop manual designed to support the instruction and to serve as an ongoing reference.