Case Briefing ~ California Pilot Workshop on ESA Consultation
An interagency pilot program launched in California is working to create timely and effective consultations
related to protected species issues and new transportation projects. The goal of the pilot is to streamline and
improve the effectiveness of consultations under the federal Endangered Species Act Section 7 and Essential Fish
Habitat regulations, and related California species protection laws. This interagency effort assisted by the U.S.
Institute involves the Federal Highway Administration, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), the
California Department of Fish and Game, and the National Marine Fisheries Service.
With guidance from the U.S. Institute the pilot program participants developed operating guidelines for interagency
consultations. The guidelines call for the formation of interagency teams involving field staff and managers who
work together to develop biological assessments and biological opinions needed to ensure the timely progression of
new transportation projects. The model builds on the successes of interagency consultation teams used by land management
agencies in the Pacific Northwest.
The U.S. Institute helped launch the pilot program by convening and facilitating a two-day collaborative workshop
that guided the development of the interagency operating guidelines, provided skills training in negotiation and
collaborative problem-solving, and provided an opportunity for the participants to learn firsthand from those involved
in the Pacific Northwest Streamlining Program.
In the words of the participants, the interactions with each other and with U.S. Institute staff set the stage for
productive interagency consultations that can "help avoid permitting road blocks," "get past conflict to collaboration,"
and "achieve positive outcomes in challenging circumstances." The pilot program goals of streamlining and improved
effectiveness are squarely in line with the broad scale goals needed to ensure the appropriate and timely progress
of economic stimulus projects funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
For additional information, please contact Kimberly Caringer at (520) 901.8534 or
caringer@ecr.gov.
