Full Script of the Recovery Credit System presentation Questions and Answers about Recovery Credit Systems for Listed Species: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, Endangered Species Program, Washington, D.C, August 2008 Slide 2 In administering the ESA, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with many partners, including Federal, State, and local agencies, Tribal governments, conservation organizations, the business community, and private landowners. Slide 3 Consultation allows a Federal agency to ensure that their actions are not likely to jeopardize listed species or destroy or adversely modify critical habitat. Section 7 not only applies to management of Federal lands but also to Federal actions that may directly or indirectly affect listed species, such as Federal approval of private activities through the issuance of permits, licenses, or other actions such as funding. Slide 4 Examples include safe harbor agreements, habitat conservation plans, recovery permits, and conservation banks. This discussion centers on a new addition to the “recovery toolbox,” the Service’s guidance for developing Recovery Credit Systems. Slide 5 A Recovery Credit System, or RCS, is an optional tool available to Federal agencies to promote and enhance the recovery of listed species on non-Federal lands. Using RCSs, Federal agencies will be able to more clearly show how benefits accrued on non-Federal lands offset unavoidable effects of Federal actions elsewhere. However, in an RCS the combined effects of both adverse and beneficial actions MUST ACHIEVE A NET BENEFIT to the recovery of the species. Slide 6 While it is true that Federal agencies are required to meet their obligation to conserve listed species, many of these species occur on private lands. Because of the importance of private lands to the recovery of listed species, the RCS is designed to encourage Federal partnerships with non-Federal landowners. Slide 7 Fort Hood Military Reservation, located in Texas, is home to the largest population of the endangered golden-cheeked warbler within its breeding range. Fort Hood is also one of the largest and most active military training installations in the United States. And because of the nature of military training there are unavoidable impacts to the warbler and its habitat. To mitigate these impacts the RCS concept was conceived to allow Fort Hood to accrue recovery credits by contracting with neighboring landowners to undertake recovery actions for the warbler. Slide 8 Slide 9 Federal agencies may gain and hold credits on non-Federal lands for advancing the recovery of listed species, and these credits may be exchanged, or debited to offset future actions that would result in adverse effects. In other words, like Fort Hood, Federal agencies may "bank" recovery credits in advance in a species specific recovery crediting system and use those credits at a later time. Slide 10 An RCS will - Encourage greater efforts to develop partnerships between Federal and non-Federal entities, including private landowners. Increase the flexibility of Federal agencies to accomplish their missions while meeting their responsibilities under the ESA, and, Produce a net benefit that advances the recovery of the target species. Slide 11 A recovery credit is a unit of measure established by an RCS that quantifies the contribution that an agency’s action makes toward the recovery of a listed species. Credits are based on, and tied to the implementation of specific conservation measures identified in a species' approved recovery plan. If there is no final approved recovery plan, an RCS may employ an equivalent Service-approved document that describes specific measures that will contribute towards the downlisting or delisting goals of endangered or threatened species. Slide 12 The short answer is yes. The authority for establishing and using an RCS is in the ESA and the process may only apply to Federally listed species. Slide 13 RCSs will be established to provide recovery actions on non-Federal lands for a specific species while creating a bank of credits that a Federal agency may use to offset unavoidable effects elsewhere. However, there are other conservation banking methods, some of which may allow the accrual of credits for recovery actions on Federal lands. Slide 14 An RCS can provide an additional choice for implementing conservation measures by Federal agencies to offset impacts to listed species. Potential benefits of a recovery crediting system include: · Better and more cost effective integration of recovery with agency activities; · Streamlined Section 7 consultation; · Increased predictability for Federal action agencies and private landowners Slide 15 In concept, the two mechanisms are similar. They both compensate for adverse impacts to listed species in advance of the impact. However, unlike a conservation bank which is based on the establishment of a permanent benefit, typically through land set-asides, an RCS may also offset temporary impacts with temporary recovery credits. Slide 16 As an example, many listed species require periodic habitat management activities as part of their recovery. Typically these actions are discrete and short-term undertakings. Thus, some credits may be temporary in nature, provided the action meets a specific conservation need and provides a net benefit to recovery of the species. Slide 17 The duration of any temporary credit will be based on a projected timeline of benefits to be achieved at the currently degraded site and the restoration expected at the impacted site. As an example of an application, many transportation projects require temporary workspace for construction, which is later returned to pre-construction conditions. Slide 18 Temporary credits are to be used only to offset adverse effects that are also limited in duration. The conservation measures associated with the temporary credits must remain in effect for some period of time after the adverse effects of their impact have been reversed. Regardless of whether a credit is accrued by a permanent or temporary action, the overall RCS must demonstrate a net benefit toward recovery. Slide 19 There are three main phases: (1) Establishing the recovery crediting system; (2) Developing appropriate credits and debits, and; (3) Applying the system on the ground. Slide 20 The first phase is to gather information on the target species, the threats to its existence, and what actions are needed to help the species recover. This process will help determine what tools will be needed to measure conservation benefits, and ultimately whether a crediting system is even feasible or appropriate for the target species. Slide 21 · Long-term habitat preservation or restoration. Slide 22 The design and assessment of a RCS occurs during the Section 7 consultation process. This is where the credit(s) and debit(s) will be specifically defined and assigned a value associated with the recovery needs of a species. Section 7 consultation is anticipated to occur two ways in an RCS- (1) As an overall programmatic consultation to define and establish credits and debits. (2) As individual activities are accounted for at the project level. Slide 23 As the recovery crediting system is implemented on the ground, the Service will remain an active participant as individual projects occur. Slide 24 Federal agencies may exchange credits developed in an RCS, but a net recovery benefit for the species concerned must be maintained. Slide 25 A Federal action agency can accrue, hold, and debit against credits developed in an RCS. The Federal action agency will consult with the Fish and Wildlife Service to ensure that the RCS meets the requirements of section 7 of the ESA, and will produce a net benefit to the recovery of the species covered. Slide 26 Recovery credits can be accrued or debited only through ESA section 7 consultations. The use of recovery credits is, therefore, limited to Federal action agencies, and only Federal action agencies may accrue, hold, and debit recovery credits. Other non-Federal partners may participate in RCS activities in an appropriate role. However a non-Federal entity cannot accrue, hold, or debit recovery credits. Slide 27 The Fish and Wildlife Service will determine whether an overall system provides net benefit to the recovery of targeted species through the consultation process of section 7 of the Endangered Species Act. Recovery crediting systems will vary in details, and it is important to remember that some listed species may not be appropriate for a credit system. Examples of species that would not be suited for a RCS are those whose conservation needs are poorly understood, and species that occur as single site endemics. Slide 28 The Service anticipates that the Federal action agency will generally bear the responsibility for any funding. END Photo Credits |
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