Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act FWCA Protecting Conserving

Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (FWCA) Protecting, Conserving and Developing Fish and Wildlife Resources

One of the major authorities for evaluation of fish and wildlife at Federal and Federally-licensed and permitted projects Pre-dates NEPA and the Endangered Species Act

Provides a basic procedural framework for the orderly consideration of fish and wildlife conservation measures to be incorporated into Federal and Federally permitted or licensed water resources development projects

Water Resources Planning Under the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act • • • Authority and Purpose for FWS Involvement Procedures for Fulfilling FWCA Responsibilities ES Biologist’s Roles and Responsibilities Fish and Wildlife Evaluation Framework Report Content, Organization, Format and Style

Some Major Provisions - Fish and Wildlife conservation receives equal consideration with other projects features - Mandatory consultation with wildlife agencies - Full consideration of wildlife agency recommendations - Action agencies shall include recommended means and measures they find to be justified

Legislative History

First enacted in 1934 Enacted due to concerns over the loss of commercial and sport fisheries from water resource developments Sought to ensure that federal reservoirs provided opportunity for federal fish hatcheries and resting places for migratory waterfowl Applied to reservoirs constructed or permitted by the Federal government Selected sections of the 1934 Act are in Appendix A, Water Resources Planning Under the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act

Amended in 1946 Principal emphasis was on mitigation of losses to fish and wildlife resources. Mitigation costs part of project cost FWS Established Office of River Basin Studies (which became Ecological Services) to implement the Act.

Office of River Basin Studies

Major Amendment: 12, 1958 August Present Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act Came at request of International Assoc. of Game, Fish and Conservation Commissioners

1958 Amendments Authorized enhancement (later amended in require cost sharing) Authorized fish and wildlife as project purpose to which benefits and costs could be allocated Allowed modification of projects for fish and wildlife if not more than 60 percent completed.

1958 Amendments Affirmed application to non-federal actions conducted under federal permits and licenses More clearly authorized land acquisition and use for fish and wildlife purposes. Supplemented other authorities for transfer of funds to the FWS for the conduct of investigations and studies.

Scope of Potentially Public Trust Affected. Resources Migratory wildlife Anadromous fish Resident wildlife Endangered and Threatened Species Waters and wetlands Species of special importance Habitat for species Introduction

FWCA Applies to a wide variety of water resources projects Dams and Reservoirs Dredgin g Beach Nourishment

Environmental Restoration Hurricane Protection and Response e Introduction

Erosion Control Hydropower Introduction

Irrigation Navigation Introduction

Congressional Emphasis and wildlife resources of “The fish the nation are tremendously important , not only to the physical and spiritual well-being of our people, but to our national economy as well. . . Commercial fisheries are of major importance to our nation. ”

Federal Activities on the web: www. fws. gov Conservation Planning Assistance Permits and Project Review Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act