A Tool for Landscape-level Conservation

1. A Tool for Landscape-level Conservation ECOS-IPaC

2. 1973 Endangered Species Act • Allows protection for all species • Protects habitats as well as species Aleutian Canada goose USFWS photo Desert tortoise habitatUSFWS photo American alligatorUSFWS photo

3. Purpose of the ESA To conserve listed species and the ecosystems upon which they depend such that their protection under the Act is no longer needed to ensure their continued survival.

4. Section 7 “INTERAGENCY COOPERATION”

5. Interagency Cooperation:Section 7(a)(1) • Section 7(a)(1) directs all Federal agencies to utilize their authorities to further the purposes of the ESA by carrying out conservation programs to benefit listed species • The “planning” portion of section 7 Polar Bears - USFWS photo Black-footed Ferret USFWS photo Whooping Cranes - USFWS photo

6. Interagency Cooperation:Section 7(a)(2) • Section 7(a)(2) requires each Federal agency to insure that any action it authorizes, funds, or carries out is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of listed species or destroy or adversely modify critical habitat • The consultation portion of section 7 Piping Plover - USFWS photo

8. Consultation Consultation works best when: • Collaborative process • Good working relationships

9. Consultations More than 70,000 Federal actions are reviewed annually just under section 7

11. Identified Project Proponent Needs • Early access to listed species information • Meaningful conservation measures • Transparency • Landscape-level approach

12. IPaC Information, Planning, and Conservation • Streamlines environmental reviews • Encourages landscape-level planning and conservation • Integrates Service programs and activities • Coordinates Service and external partner activities

13. http://ecos.fws.gov/ipac/

16. Natural Species-level Source: Threat Habitat Loss Threat Timber Harvest Project Type Evaluation -adds to or Subtracts from CMs Reduction of Population Avoidance & Minimization Stream Crossing Activity Activity Mitigation response response Sediment stressor stressor Displacement Reproductive Failure Individuals • 5 Factors: • present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of its habitat or range; • overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational purposes; • disease or predation; • inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms; and • other natural or manmade factors affecting its continued existence Exposure Activity

17. 4. Create Effects Pathways • Create effects pathways and enter consequence sequence(FO Biologist) Exposure Path Source: PAC Chain Project Type Stressor Activity Component Resource Consequence Sequence #1 Stressor Resource Cons. Need Organism Life Stage Organism Response Organism Effect Population Effect Stressor Resource Resource Needs

18. Natural Species-level Source: Threat Habitat Loss Threat Timber Harvest Project Type Evaluation -adds to or Subtracts from CMs Reduction of Population Avoidance & Minimization Stream Crossing Activity Activity Mitigation response response Sediment stressor stressor Displacement Individuals • 5 Factors: • present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of its habitat or range; • overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational purposes; • disease or predation; • inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms; and • other natural or manmade factors affecting its continued existence Exposure Activity Reproductive Failure

20. Project and Document Development and Management(Expert System)

24. Document Builder BA, BO, NEPA, Permit Applications, etc. and Systems Integration

26. Vulnerability Assessments This is an example vulnerability assessment based on 419 existing wind energy locations in SW Wyoming – red indicates more sensitive areas

27. Vulnerability Assessments The project proponent can zoom in and see what areas may be less of a regulatory headache, based on the FO’s Assessment

28. Expert Systems

29. CMs Exposure Path Source: PAC Chain Project Type Stressor Activity Component Resource Stressor Resource Consequence Sequence #1 Cons. Need Organism Life Stage Organism Response Organism Effect Population Effect Stressor Resource Resource Needs

30. Conservation Measures(Design Recommendations) Conservation Measures developed with the input of those that will be implementing them

40. Biological Planning Monitoring and Research Conservation Design Conservation Delivery Landscape-level Conservation Needs

41. Reporting and Monitoring

42. Reporting Module • Customized for each individual project • “Self reporting” • Quick and Easy • Provide feedback for adaptive management

46. IPaC: Phase I Functionality • Obtain trust resource lists • Obtain trust resource information • Obtain project design recommendations

47. IPaC: Phase II Functionality • Project Builder • Document Builder • Reporting and Monitoring Module

48. IPaC: Phase III Functionality • Geospatial decision support system providing the ability to assess threats • Coordination with State Agencies

49. http://ecos.fws.gov/ipac/ or Google: FWS IPaC