The Fish and Wildlife Service is inviting fresh ideas for administering habitat conservation plans and other agreements intended to resolve Endangered Species Act issues.
The agency is billing the move as a big opportunity for developers, loggers, the energy industry and environmental advocates to help update how the ESA works.
A 30-day public comment period starting Monday will open up for consideration Section 10(a) of the landmark environmental law. The section authorizes the issuance of permits that allow for the unintentional killing or harming — called incidental take — of species listed as threatened or endangered under the ESA.
“The Service is dedicated to strengthening the section 10(a) program to more effectively support conservation efforts while addressing the needs of landowners, industry and local communities — ultimately improving the program’s overall efficiency and impact,” the agency stated Friday.
