Project Planning and Permits
The U. S.
Fish and Wildlife Service is the voice for our nation's fish and wildlife
resources and their habitats. We work with Federal construction agencies
during project planning, permitting, and construction to ensure that impacts
to our natural resources are avoided, minimized, and mitigated.
Fish and Wildlife Service biologists work with project proponents to design dredging operations that minimize impacts to riverine ecosystems where the dredging occurs and to the terrestrial areas where the dredged material is placed.
Some of the
types of Federal projects that we review include highway construction,
cell towers, mining, energy development, flood control, and navigation.
All of these projects provide public benefits but they can also harm the
environment without adequate thought and planning. When fish and wildlife
resources are an included perspective during planning, impacts can be
eliminated, reduced, and mitigated. For example, impacts from highway
construction can be minimized by taking the least destructive alignment,
minimizing rights-of-way, and including erosion control measures. The
result is cleaner water and more natural areas for fish, wildlife, and
If you have questions about our review of specific Federal Projects, please contact our Field Office in the state of interest.
Resources for Project Planners
Bird Corridor Maps (Diurnal)
Communication Tower Guidelines
2013 Revised Guidance on Communication Towers - Guidelines only
Supporting Information for the 2013 Revised Guidance on Communication Towers - Includes Guidelines and supporting information. This document begins with information from a webinar presented by Dr. Albert M. Manville.
Information for Planning and Conservation
IPaC is a project planning tool which streamlines the FWS environmental review process
Section 7 Consultation
S7 Technical Assistance - Explains the S7 process and provides a step-by-step tool
Determine if Threatened or Endangered Species are in Your Project Area
Endangered Species State and County Distributions
Information for Planning and Conservation (IPaC)
Wind Energy Development
Midwest Wind Energy Website
National Wind Energy Website
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Guidance
Major regulations we work under
Midwest Ecological Services Home