Environmental Impact Statement - Sonoma Land Trust

Chapter 4
Consultation and Other Requirements
Compliance with Applicable Laws, Policies, and
Plans and Regulatory Framework
Introduction
This chapter provides information on the major requirements for permitting and
environmental review and consultation for implementation of the Sears Point
Restoration Project. Certain state and federal regulations require issuance of
permits before project implementation; other regulations require agency
consultation but may not require issuance of any entitlements before project
implementation. The project’s requirements for permits and environmental
review and consultation may change during the EIS/EIR review process as
discussions with involved agencies proceed.
Federal Endangered Species Act
Section 7 of the ESA requires federal agencies, in consultation with USFWS and
NMFS, to ensure that their actions do not jeopardize the continued existence of
endangered or threatened species, or result in the destruction or adverse
modification of the critical habitat of these species. The required steps in the
Section 7 consultation process are as follows:
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Agencies must request information from USFWS and NMFS on the
existence in a project area of listed species or species proposed for listing.
Following receipt of the USFWS/NMFS response to this request, agencies
generally prepare a BA to determine whether any listed species or species
proposed for listing are likely to be affected by a proposed action.
Agencies must initiate formal consultation with USFWS and NMFS if the
proposed action would affect listed species.
Sears Point Wetland and Watershed Restoration
Project Final Environmental Impact
Report/Environmental Impact Statement
4-1
April 2012