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Biological Opinions
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) requires any federal agency proposing to do anything that might affect an ESA-listed fish-issuing a permit, spending money, taking a direct action-to first seek the expert opinion of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or NOAA Fisheries about the effects of the action on listed species. The resource agency will issue a biological opinion (BiOp) to the action agency making the proposal. The primary goal of a BiOp is to ensure that the proposed federal action won't reduce the likelihood of survival and recovery of the listed species. A biological opinion can include conservation recommendations to minimize or avoid possible adverse effects on listed species or their critical habitat. It can also impose reasonable and prudent measures needed to minimize any harmful impacts, and can require monitoring and reporting to ensure adequate fish-protection compliance. A BiOp prevents unacceptable harm to an ESA-listed species or its habitat, and is purely biological: it's a scientific judgment about a proposed action, not a policy document. A biological opinion is not an ESA recovery plan, but can be a component of such a plan, and is one part of the ESA process.
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Biological Opinions
