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Protecting and Recovering Endangered Species
BPA is committed to protecting and recovering threatened and endangered species
in the Columbia River Basin. The Endangered Species Act (ESA) provides for the
conservation of species that are federally listed as endangered or threatened
with extinction throughout all or a significant portion of their range, and the
conservation of the ecosystems on which they depend.
Throughout the Columbia River Basin, BPA plays a major role in the
implementation of scientifically sound rehabilitation projects associated with
the 4 H?s: habitat, hydro, hatcheries and harvest.
BPA works closely with our project contractors, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (USFWS), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration-National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) to ensure
compliance with the ESA. Typically, the USFWS has
jurisdiction over terrestrial species and freshwater species, while NOAA
fisheries manages marine species including anadromous fish (ocean species that
migrate up freshwater rivers to spawn).
For BPA to comply with ESA, certain consultation procedures must be followed with USFWS and NOAA Fisheries. In an effort to streamline the consultation process for BPA's Fish and Wildlife Program, BPA and NOAA Fisheries completed the Habitat Improvement Program Biological Opinion (now in its second iteration, known as the HIP II BiOp). The HIP II BiOp provides ESA compliance for 30 of the most common habitat improvement activities that BPA funds; this process has saved both time and money for both agencies while accelerating habitat improvement project implementation. For further information on using the HIP II BiOp and forms, contact your Environmental Compliance Lead or Nancy Weintraub at 503-230-5373.
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Tools and
Other
ESA Links:
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