Who does
What now?
What now?
What is the objective of Habitat Conservation and Restoration EFH Policy - Guide to EFH Consultations?
to provide national guidance to federal agencies on their responsibilities under the MSA.
EFH Designations are found here.
EFH is described and identified by text and illustrated spatially on maps in FMPs using the best available scientific information
EFH regulations encourage councils and NMFS to identify HAPCs as priority areas for habitat conservation, management, and research. What does HAPC stand for?
habitat areas of particular concern
_______ and _____ identify and define EFH for federally-managed fishery species in their FMPs or in geographically-based fisheries ecosystem plans
Councils and NMFS
EFH Regulations defines adverse effects as______.
The EFH regulations define adverse effects on EFH as “any impact that reduces quality and/or quantity of EFH.”
All complete EFH assessments include these mandatory components. (Hint, there are 4)
● A description of the action ● An analysis of the potential adverse effects of the action on EFH and the managed species ● The action agency's conclusions regarding the effects of the action on EFH ● Proposed mitigation, if applicable
When more than one action agency is responsible for a federal action, who initiates the EFH consultation process?
Consultation requirements for all participating agencies may be met through a lead action agency (to the extent that the lead agency has the authority to implement measures necessary to address the adverse effects of the action).
The lead action agency should notify NMFS that it represents one or more other action agencies.
Fill in the blank: According to the MSA, the action agency’s EFH assessment should include a description of any measures or prescriptions that will _____, ________, or ______ adverse effects, if applicable.
Avoid, Mitigate, offset
Are consultations required for new reviews of previously permitted federal actions? (y/n)
Yes. They are required for renewals and reviews of, or substantial revisions to, the original action that may adversely affect EFH.
Who drafts revisions to EHF Consultation Guidance in the Habitat Conservation and Restoration Policy Directives? (Hint: 3 groups of people)
OHC/HP works with the EFH Coordinators and Regional Habitat ARAs to draft revisions
Although discussions may occur (and are encouraged) with action agencies before a consultation is initiated, the timelines for the actual EFH consultation set forth in the regulations begins when_____.
NMFS determines that it has received a complete EFH assessment from the action agency or its designee.
HAPCs are based on one or more considerations. (Name one of the four.)
● The importance of the ecological function provided by the habitat ● The extent to which the habitat is sensitive to human-induced environmental degradation ● Whether, and to what extent, development activities are, or will be, stressing the habitat type ● The rarity of the habitat type
Fill in the Blanks:
____initiate an EFH consultation by submitting a complete EFH assessment to ____.
____ and ______ respond and may provide conservation recommendations intended to conserve EFH.
Action agencies, NMFS, NMFS, Councils,
In 1966 as amended in the Sustainable Fisheries Act, Congress declared “One of the greatest long-term threats to the viability of commercial and recreational fisheries is_______.
the continuing loss of marine, estuarine and other aquatic habitats.
There are five consultation approaches to conducting EFH consultations. (Name 1.)
1) through a general concurrence, 2) using an existing environmental review procedure (ex. NEPA), 3) as a standalone abbreviated consultation, 4) as a standalone expanded consultation, or 5) as part of a programmatic consultation.