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Agency Seeks Input on Species Mitigation Standards
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service seeks input on new Endangered Species Act rules for species conservation banks and other habitat-based mitigation efforts.
Senior Natural Resources Technical Director • Austin
Amanda Glen
Amanda Glen is SWCA’s natural resources technical director for biological services and provides strategic guidance on permitting and compliance for matters involving protected wildlife, plants, and habitats. Currently managing a national practice, she has more than 25 years of consulting experience with an emphasis on the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and how compliance with the ESA influences other regulatory programs. Her wealth of experience pertaining to endangered species issues includes research, permitting, consultations, status reviews, and conservation planning. Her experience includes negotiating compliance solutions for critically imperiled species facing potential determinations of jeopardy or adverse modification of designated critical habitats. She has led efforts to delist species no longer requiring the protections of the ESA when supported by sound science, and has been involved in voluntary conservation planning to help preclude the need to list species. Amanda frequently presents at regional and national conferences on matters related to the ESA, including new listings, regulatory and policy changes, and trends in compliance strategies.
Scientific & Technical Services Senior Vice President • Denver
Jon Kehmeier
Jon is the Vice President of Scientific and Technical Services, responsible for advancing SWCA’s scientific and technical strategy, staff development, large project execution, and client development.
Written By
Amanda Glen
Senior Natural Resources Technical Director
Jon Kehmeier
Scientific & Technical Services Senior Vice President
Posted
August 2, 2022
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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) seeks input on new regulations for species conservation banks under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The Service intends that these regulations also apply to other forms of habitat-based compensatory mitigation and be compatible with the regulatory standards for wetland mitigation.
What Happened?
An SWCA employee at Clatsop County, Oregon
Why Does It Matter?
Currently, there are few regulatory standards for species mitigation. New regulations could influence the types of actions considered suitable, the steps needed to put mitigation in place, and the level of effort to maintain mitigation value over time. These considerations could influence the availability and cost of mitigation for Endangered Species Act permits and consultations. New rules on mitigation could also lengthen the time needed to complete environmental permitting and get projects started.
Share Your Thoughts!
The Service expects to issue a proposed rule for mitigation standards later this year and seeks input from the public through September 26, 2022. Submit comments electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov under Docket Number FWS-HQ-ES-2021-0137.
SWCA Can Help
Contact SWCA’s Endangered Species Act and mitigation experts to help understand how new regulations could affect your business. We can help you craft comments that let your voice be heard.
