Description:
The NMFS Essential Fish Habitat Response will be completed together with the ESA Biological Opinion in a single document. *The final completion date is contingent upon NMFS receiving what it concludes is adequate information to initiate ESA and MSA/EFH consultation.
Milestones:
-
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
:
Official Notice of Availability of a Draft EIS published in the Federal Register (FR) beginning both the public comment period and concurrent CAA Section 309 Review (Agency Action)
- Completed Date: 03/29/2019
This reflects the anticipated date of receipt of initial EFH application (i.e., per the previous Appendix B milestones). Target: Concurrent with receipt of an EFH initiation package (expected following release of DEIS). *This target timeline is dependent on receipt of a consultation request from FERC, including an EFH Assessment.
Target: 14 days following receipt of a complete EFH initiation package (expected following release of DEIS). *This target timeline is dependent on a consultation request from FERC, including an EFH Assessment that NMFS concludes has adequate information to initiate EFH consultation.
Target: 180 days following receipt of complete application. *A 180 day consultation period is required due to the complexity of the proposed action combined with the large geography and number of EFH species adversely affected. This period is also important to allow the EFH response and ESA biological opinion to be written concurrently.