PAL Agreement Details
Memorandum of Understanding between the California Department of Transportation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
NEPA
California
12/13/2007
Agreement Overview:
The intent of this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is to ensure that California transportation projects are planned, designed and constructed in conformance with applicable Federal laws, policies and guidelines relating to the protection of fish and wildlife resources (e.g. Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, the National Environmental Policy Act). To meet the intent, the MOU establishes procedures that Caltrans and USFWS will follow for early and continuous coordination of transportation project development activities. The MOU also establishes protocol for routine coordination between the two agencies that includes an annual meeting to review progress under the MOU, consider possible improvements, and discuss policy issues.
Signatories
US Fish and Wildlife Service
California Department of Transportation
1988
The MOU remains in force and effect until terminated by either signator. It can be amended upon the consent of all signators.
This MOU puts in place a sound framework for increased communication and coordination via the quarterly and annual meetings. The Caltrans-funded USFWS positions have been helpful in processing transportation projects with potential impacts to fish and wildlife resources. The MOU streamlines the review of the regulatory process through early and continuous coordination with USFWS. It would have been helpful to have had other federal agencies (such as NOAA Fisheries and the Environmental Protection Agency) and state agencies (Regional Water Quality Control Board and California Department of Fish and Game) included in the MOU. The MOU provides for advanced planning for mitigation opportunities that will be needed in the future, which helps stewardship.
Amy Pettler (Primary Contact)
Caltrans
Division of Environmental Analysis
Senior Wildlife and Endangered Species Coordination Biologist
916-651-8166
[email protected]
Gregg Erickson (Secondary Contact)
Caltrans
Division of Environmental Analysis
Office Chief, Biology and Technical Assistance Office
916-654-6296
[email protected]
Darrin Thome
USFWS
California/Nevada Operations, Ecological Services
Forest Habitat Conservation and Contaminants Program Manager
916-414-6533
[email protected]
Agreement Document
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