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3.5 SENSITIVE BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES - ENDANGERED AND THREATENED SPECIES
Congress passed the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 1973 to combine and strengthen its predecessors such as the Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966.
USDA will not authorize, fund or carry out any proposal or project that is likely to
(1) Jeopardize the continued existence of any plant or wildlife species listed by the Secretary of Interior as endangered or threatened; or
(2) destroy or adversely modify the habitats of listed species when such habitats have been determined critical to the species’ existence by the Secretary of Interior, unless USDA has been granted an exemption for such proposal by the Endangered Species committee pursuant to paragraph (h) of Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act.
RD officials must review a proposed action prior to approval to determine whether or not listed, or proposed for listing, species may be affected. Section 7(a)(2) of the ESA requires RD to consult with the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and/or the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) for any actions that may affect listed species. Consultations may be informal, or formal, depending on results of a Biological Assessment.
Federal Legislation, Regulations, and other Directives:
• Endangered Species Act as amended by Public Law 97-304 (The Endangered Species Act Amendments of 1982)
• Title 7, Part 1b and 1c, Code of Federal Regulations, USDA’s National Environmental Policy Act.
• U.S. Department of Agriculture, Departmental Regulation 9500-4, Fish and Wildlife Policy (1983)
• Executive Order 11514, Protection and Enhancement of Environmental Quality
• National Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. 432
• Bald and Golden Eagles Protection Act of 1979
Section 7 of the ESA requires that Federal agencies consult with the FWS when any activity permitted, funded, or conducted may affect an endangered or threatened species or a listed or designated critical habitat. This is commonly referred to as the Section 7 Consultation Process and involves both an informal and formal process and a biological assessment and opinion.
Federal agencies, in consultation with the FWS, are required to ensure that actions an agency authorizes, funds or carries out are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of federally listed endangered and threatened species, or result in the destruction or adverse modification of designated critical habitat. Delaware and Maryland also have a list of State Endangered and Threatened species.
List of the Federally Endangered and Threatened Species and a listing of State Endangered and Threatened species are available at the web sites.
Potential Information Sources
The web site for Fish and Wildlife Service is http://www.fws.gov/
You can access endangered species by clicking on http://www.fws.gov/endangered/ or http://www.fws.gov/r9endspp/endspp.html
Marine Resources: http://www.nmfs.gov
Link to how many species are listed by state: http://ecos.fws.gov/tess_public/StateListing.do?state=all
Agency Jurisdiction: State and Federal Level:
FWS and DNR are the subject matter experts. Normally, contact with these agencies is only necessary when there may be an adverse impact on threatened or endangered species.
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/NRCSorg.html
(Effective June 12, 2000) http://www.dnrec.state.de.us/nhp/information/endangered.shtml
Wildlife Management Areas in Delaware:
http://www.fw.delaware.gov/NR/
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Rare,
Threatened and Endangered Species of Maryland
- Plants & Animals Listed by County
(Adobe Acrobat files)
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/rteplants.asp
Wildlife Management Areas in Maryland:
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Maryland's diverse geography provides many different opportunities to enjoy its rich landscape. Select the WMA Map for All Regions or select a specific region from the areas indicated below.
Maryland WMAs - Disabled Hunter Access Information |
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| Adjacent to the urban areas of Baltimore and Washington lie some of the most tranquil and serene places. Well hidden from the hustle and bustle of city life, a daily excursion to a local WMA can prove to be a welcome relief. | |
| This rich land area east of the Chesapeake Bay harbors some of the most beautiful and diverse wildlife around. WMAs provide many opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, hiking and bird-watching, in addition to seasonal hunting activities. | |
| Southern Maryland has changed little since it was first settled by the English colonists in the 1600's. Southern Maryland provides the hiker, hunter, photographer, or fisher-person with much to do. | |
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The grand forested peaks and valleys of Maryland's Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains form an ancient and rugged wonderland. With more than 120,000 acres devoted to wildlife management. This is Maryland's last frontier. Relax in a canoe gliding on a golden pond. Bound a raft through some of the finest whitewater in the east. Hunting, fishing, and hiking are enjoyed year-round. |
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Federal US Fish and Wildlife Service
Chesapeake Bay Field Office
77 Admiral Cochrane Drive, Annapolis, Maryland
21401
(410) 573-4500
Endangered species listings are available at http://www.fws.gov/endangered/
Washington, D.C. Office
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Endangered Species Program
4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 420
Arlington, VA 22203
Northeast Region — Region Five
Chief, Division of
Endangered Species
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
300 Westgate Center Drive
Hadley, MA 01035-9589
http://www.fws.gov/northeast/Endangered/(
Delaware Endangered Species protection is covered under Delaware Code Title 7, Chapter 6, Critical Habitats, Delaware Code Title 7, Chapter 73.
Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Division of Fish and Wildlife
Non-Game Wildlife and Environmental Control
89 Kings Highway
Dover, Delaware 19903
(302) 739-5297
Maryland Non-game, Threatened or Endangered Species Program. Policy Reference Natural Resources Act, Sec. 1-103, 104; D. N. R. Policy 79:3.
The Wildlife Division, 580 Taylor Avenue, Tawes State Office, B-2,
(410) 974-3195 maintain Maryland list. Other sources of information may be the University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, the Audubon Society and other similar organizations.
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Contact Us
Wildlife & Heritage Service Headquarters
Paul A. Peditto, Director
Administration & Personnel
Permits Coordinator - Mary Goldie
Regional Operations
Southern Region Manager
Western Region Manager
Central Region Manager
Eastern Region Manager
The Game Program
Game Bird Section
Waterfowl Project – Larry Hindman
Game Mammal Section
Black Bear Project Leader - Harry Spiker
Deer Project Leader – Doug Hotton
Urban Deer Biologist – George Timko
Furbearer Project Leader - Robert Colona
Information & Education
Natural Heritage Program
Program Manager – Conservation Technology
Biodiversity Analyst
GIS Projects Manager
Natural Heritage Information Manager
Program Manager – Regional Operations
Western Regional Ecologist
Western Regional Biologist
Central Regional Ecologist
Central Regional Biologist
Southern Regional Ecologist
Eastern Regional Biologist
Environmental Review Specialist
Program Manager, Science Programs
State Zoologist
State Botanist |
Southern
Region State Wildlife Program Funding The majority of funding for Maryland’s state wildlife programs comes from hunting licenses and fees and from a special, federal excise tax on sport hunting devices and ammunition. About 98 percent of Maryland’s state budget for wildlife programs comes from these two sources. The federal aid funds are derived from an 11 percent excise tax on sport hunting devices and ammunition through the Pittman-Robertson Fund. For the past 68 years, sportsmen and women have been contributing to this fund through the excise tax mechanism. Each state receives a share of the funds, which is administered by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Hunters’ dollars are used for hunter education programs, enforcement of wildlife regulations, wildlife-related education programs and conservation programs. Other sources of funds include federal grants and the Chesapeake Bay and Endangered Species Fund, to which donations are made through the Maryland Income Tax Form. If you would like more information about state program funding or programs, contact the DNR Wildlife & Heritage Service at 410-260-8540. |
Governing Federal Legislation, Regulations, and Other Directives.
(a) Endangered Species Act as amended by Public Law 97-304 (The Endangered
Species Act Amendments of 1982) as reauthorized
(b) Title 7, Part 1b and 1c, Code of Federal Regulations, USDA’s National Environmental Policy Act
(c) U.S. Department of Agriculture, Departmental Regulation 9500-4, Fish and Wildlife Policy (1983).
(d) Executive Order 11514, Protection and Enhancement of Environmental Quality.
(e) National Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. 432.
(f) Bald and Golden Eagles Protection Act of 1979.
(g) International Migratory Bird Treaty
The full text of the Endangered Species Act can be accessed at:
http://endangered.fws.gov/esa.html
