On Jan. 5, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to remove the goal of 鈥渘et conservation gain鈥 from the Service鈥檚 Mitigation Policy and Endangered Species Act (ESA)鈥揅ompensatory Mitigation Policy, finalized in late 2016. 澳门六合彩开奖预测 asserts that that the 鈥渋mprovement鈥 goal is not supported under the ESA; the goal fails to provide a clear limit on how much mitigation is necessary and blurs the line between recommendations and requirements.
Construction project proponents already address species and habitat concerns throughout the project鈥檚 life, implementing avoidance and mitigation measures at great cost. The net gain goal only adds further delays and additional costs to construction projects without legal justification.
The FWS initially issued the 2016 mitigation policies in response to an Obama-era that encouraged agencies to promote restoration or enhancement of natural resources, i.e., 鈥渘et gain.鈥 A few months after the Service finalized the policies, President Trump issued an to rescind the memorandum, directing agencies to reexamine their actions (regulations, orders, guidance, policies) for any barriers that unnecessarily obstruct the development and delivery of energy resources.
The Department of Interior (DOI) has acted swiftly to implement President Trump鈥檚 order. Under DOI direction, FWS has accepted comment on its mitigation policies and also plans to review and revise the regulations for listing endangered and threatened species, as well as regulations for designating critical habitats. Separately, on , DOI rescinded two Bureau of Land Management mitigation documents and ordered the review of two others.
For more information, contact Melinda Tomaino at tomainom@agc.orgor (703) 837-5415.