ABSTRACT
Many national parks, national forests, military bases, and other federal properties have been the target of past biological survey efforts that have contributed records of listed species and habitats on those properties. The same is true of many established power plant and energy development sites, existing highway and utility rights-of-way, and other properties in state or private ownership that have had to conduct biological surveys to comply with federal or state permitting processes. Most federal properties encompassing substantial areas of natural habitat have at least some history of past survey for biological resources. Although the formal consultation process is better known, most environmental consultants encounter the informal process much more frequently. The Services often inform action agencies during the informal process that formal consultation is not required, using a letter often referred to as a “no further action” letter.
