Biological Assessment

A biological assessment evaluates the potential effects of a proposed action on listed and proposed species (and critical habitat) and ascertains the likelihood of adverse effects on any such species or habitat by the proposed action. A biological assessment also is used to determine whether formal consultation or a conference is required.

Before determining whether a biological assessment is required for a project, the federal or State lead agency must request lists of sensitive species that might occur in the project area.

Federal Lists - requests for federal lists are made through the USFWS (to the Secretary of the Interior) or NMFS (to the Secretary of Commerce). The secretary has 30 days to provide a list of federally listed, proposed, and candidate species that may be present in the project area.

Under FESA provisions, the federal agency or a designated non-federal representative must submit a written request to the USFWS for a list of listed or proposed species that may be present in the action area. The agency must also submit written notification of the species it is including in the biological assessment.

The USFWS has 30 days to reply to a species list request or to concur in a species list provided by the federal agency. The federal agency or a designated non-federal representative has 180 days from the date of receipt of the species' list to complete the biological assessment.

State Lists - requests for State lists are made to DFG's Natural Heritage Division and the California Native Plant Society. Available sources are:

• California Natural Diversity Data Base: a compilation of all the information known about California's listed, candidate, and special concern animals, plants, and plant communities. The Data Base information is obtained through the Natural Heritage Division.
• California Native Plant Society: a list of all of the California plants the society considers rare, threatened, endangered, and special status, and those where more information is needed to make a determination.
• Exotic Species List - DWR has compiled a list of the "exotic" species in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Such lists could be compiled for other areas of California as well.

Contents of a biological assessment are at the discretion of the agency, but may include (1) results of on-site inspections of the area for listed or proposed species, (2) views of recognized experts about the species in question, (3) a review of the literature and other information, (4) an analysis of the effects of the action on subject species and habitat, and (5) an analysis of alternative actions.

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