The Endangered Species Act (1973) is the federal law that lists endangered and threatened species, designates critical habitat, prohibits take of listed animals, and requires federal agencies to consult with the Services (USFWS or NMFS) when their action may affect a listed species. Section 7 is the consultation path that attaches to a Corps permit. Section 10 is the incidental-take permit path when there is no federal nexus.
On our uplands, gopher tortoise is the species people meet first. In the water it is more often sea turtles, sturgeon, or Gulf listed mussels and fish depending on the HUC. “Endangered” in the Act is a legal status, not a casual adjective.
What a project actually does
Survey the right season. Redesign around occupied habitat when you can. Consult when a federal permit is in play. Do not move a burrow because it was inconvenient.
Cypress Environment & Infrastructure does T&E surveys and the biological pieces of Section 7 when the permit file needs them.
Questions about how this applies to a Gulf Coast site? Cypress Environment & Infrastructure works from Biloxi, Mobile, and Pensacola. Office hours are Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Start at Contact us or Services.