FWS concluded reinitiated formal consultation with Fort Huachuca on the next ten years of operations at the installation.  The final biological opinion is the culmination of six months of close collaboration between FWS biologists and the Fort's environment and natural resources staff.  Fort Huachuca developed a proposed action that minimizes the base's effects to the San Pedro River, which provides habitat for the endangered Huachuca water umbel and southwestern willow flycatcher. The bulk of the analyses pertained to the pumping of ground water by and on behalf of the Fort's human population, and the interaction between regional ground water supplies and the base flow of the river. Fort Huachuca also manages uplands to protect Mexican spotted owls, lesser long-nosed bats, and Sonora tiger salamender.

FWS and Fort Huachuca staff conducted a briefing on the biological opinion for Congressional staffs, Sierra Vista area officials, and Partnership leaders on June 14, 2007. A joint Fort Huachuca/FWS press release was subsequently issued and can be found here: http://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/arizona/Documents/NewsReleases/NR_FortHuachucaBO.pdf

The final biological opinion may be viewed and downloaded here:

http://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/arizona/Documents/Biol_Opin/070132_FortHuachucaFINAL.pdf

The biological opinion was prepared in accordance with a Stipulated Settlement Agreement between FWS, Fort Huachuca, and the Center for Biological Diversity. The settlement was part of a lawsuit filed by the Center against a number of Federal agencies, including FWS and the Fort.