Services
Endangered Species
In the U.S., the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 aims to conserve and recover threatened and endangered species and their habitats. In consultation with the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), federal agencies must ensure that all activities they authorize, fund, or carry out, are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of ESA-listed species or adversely modify designated critical habitat.
At CSI, our primary focus includes the complex interface between the ESA and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), the regulation under which the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registers pesticides. We assess risk to ESA-listed species from the use of pesticides and help identify ways to mitigate potential impacts. Our staff are experts in applying best available data and regulatory insights to develop informed and defensible recommendations to support each step of the risk assessment and consultation process. Current projects combine landscape analysis, risk assessment, economics, species status, GIS technology, conservation, agronomics, and industry knowledge to assist clients in identifying solutions that are workable for the registrant and end-users and protective of species. We maintain, and continue to strengthen, collaborative relationships with multiple organization-levels within the EPA, FWS, NMFS, USDA, state and regional-level agencies, and other entities.
While our primary expertise is in the intersection between FIFRA and ESA, the same principles can be applied to all regulated industries. Our strength comes not only from being able to provide strategic support to a variety of industries, but by anticipating and applying new regulatory, economic, and environmental strategies that are tailored to specific projects and needs.
Experienced Support For:
- Project Scoping
- Agency Interaction
- Spatial Analysis & Data Systems
- Conservation & Mitigation Measures
- Economic Impact Analysis
- Information Management & Reporting
- Endangered Species Policy
- Task Force Representation & Administration
- Programming & Statistical Analysis
Endangered Species Analysis & Strategic Support
Project Scoping
We provide clients with an idea of the expected process and likely results from EPA’s biological evaluations (BE) and subsequent biological opinions (BO) from FWS and NMFS. We consider on-the-ground activities and environmental baselines to prepare more realistic work plans and analyses.
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Agency Interaction
CSI has a proven record of regulatory success with multiple organization-levels within the EPA, FWS, NMFS, and USDA. We engage the agencies throughout the biological evaluation and opinion process. Through these interactions, we obtain feedback on data sources, processes, and outcomes in support of our clients’ products and needs.
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Spatial Analysis & Data Systems
We provide workable solutions and help clients to effectively communicate outcomes using spatial analysis. From identifying potential areas at risk to visualizing outcomes and solutions to developing model scenarios, we know data and how to use it effectively.
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Conservation & Mitigation Measures
We work with clients to explore conservation measures to help mitigate potential risk to at-risk species. We combine our knowledge of economics, species, conservation, and agricultural systems to help clients understand potential impacts of various avoidance, minimization, and mitigation measures, providing them with information and solutions that are invaluable in the registration process and beyond. We have established relationships with Federal and State agencies, local organizations, and other entities that can help to facilitate a comprehensive and successful strategy.
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Economic Impact Analysis
To support FIFRA registration and review and public comment development on risk assessments, registration decisions, biological evaluations and opinions, and critical habitat designations, we can investigate a variety of economic topics related to endangered species and land use that can be integrated into spatial analysis to quantify, analyze, and present findings.Â
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Endangered Species Policy
We provide clients with advice on regulatory and endangered species policy topics that may impact current and future registrations, as well as global agricultural production. We have experience in analyzing the impact of regulatory decisions related to pesticide registration review, evaluating the impact of changes in endangered species policy, and examining the interface between agricultural production and species protection.Â
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Task Force Representation & Administration
CSI provides client representation on industry trade association consortia. We serve in management, administrative and lead technical roles on chemical task forces, specifically the FIFRA Endangered Species Task Force (FESTF).
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Programming & Statistical Analysis
Our staff is experienced with various scripting languages to facilitate statistical analysis and processing efficiencies, including Python, SQL, R, and SAS.
Endangered Species Note:
There are currently two biological opinions from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) open for public comment. The dockets for both biological opinions will be open for 60 days and will close on April 20, 2021. Â
Click below for Biological Opinions Available for Public Comment | Protecting Endangered Species from Pesticides | US EPA