Cooperating under NEPA
Description:
Section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) requires Federal agencies to consult with NOAA Fisheries when any project or action they take might affect an ESA-listed species under NOAA Fisheries’ jurisdiction, or might affect such species’ critical habitat. The endangered Southern California Distinct Population Segment of steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and designated critical habitat for this species exist throughout much of the area affected by the Lake Elsinore Advanced Pumped Storage Project. The proposed action may adversely affect this resource, therefore Section 7 consultation is required.
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)
- Current Target Date: 07/09/2021
This target timeline is dependent on receipt of a consultation request from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), consisting of a Biological Assessment, expected concurrent with the Notice of Availability of FERC’s DEIS.
This date is dependent upon NOAA Fisheries receiving sufficient information (a complete final Biological Assessment) from FERC to deem the package complete and initiate the ESA consultation.
The final completion date is contingent upon NOAA Fisheries receiving sufficient information that NOAA Fisheries determines adequate to initiate ESA consultation. The target completion date is 135 days following the consultation initiation date for formal consultations.