Anchorage Fish & Wildlife Field Office
Conservation Planning Assistance

The Conservation Planning Assistance Program of the Anchorage Fish and Wildlife Field Office uses the best available science and practical land management techniques to ensure that land use/land development projects proceed in a manner consistent with the Service’s mission. We strive to become involved in the earliest stages of all projects, especially those where we have environmental review responsibilities under federal statutes, such as: Clean Water Act (CWA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (FWCA), Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, and the Federal Power Act. We collect and analyze a variety of ecological information from other Service programs (e.g., Endangered Species, Habitat Restoration, Environmental Contaminants Assessment and Monitoring, Migratory Bird Management, and National Wetlands Inventory) to coordinate project review and make recommendations concerning development activities. Because a healthy ecosystem is the foundation of Alaska’s economy and provides a vibrant community for all of us, we are here to help business leaders, public officials, and citizens understand how land-use decisions affect long-term ecosystem health. Hence, education and outreach are integral parts of all of our activities.

Our customers include:

• Individuals and local, state, tribal, and federal government applicants seeking ecological information about fish and wildlife resources, habitat restoration, or project reviews as stipulated under NEPA.
• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, including the Regulatory Branch and Civil Works Branch. The Regulatory Branch is responsible for evaluating and issuing permits for development projects that occur in waters of the United States, including wetlands, under Section 404 of the CWA and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act. The Civil Works Branch works with local sponsors to construct public projects such as harbors, navigation improvements, and erosion control.
• Applicants seeking Corps of Engineers permits for their projects. We provide applicants with technical assistance to help them comply with environmental regulations and to avoid and minimize adverse effects to fish and wildlife resources. Early planning results in better projects and a streamlined permitting process. If you are considering a land or water development project, we invite you to contact us early for help with planning or with fish and wildlife questions you may have.
• Federal, state, and local agencies and sponsors acting on behalf of the public to develop projects such as airports, roads, energy, and economic developments like fish-processing plants.
• The public, which expects conservation, protection, and enhancement of fish, wildlife, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.

• Identify and prioritize natural resources for public watershed and land-use planning activities, and work cooperatively with others on plan development, implementation, and monitoring.
• Provide ecological information for use in federally-funded, -permitted, or -licensed projects.
• Provide timely technical assistance to the public (including applicants for federal permits and licenses); federal, state, and local agencies; and others. This assistance is to ensure that development projects meet both the needs of the applicant or project proponent, AND minimize adverse impacts to fish and wildlife resources or provide compensation for unavoidable impacts.
• Provide timing guidance for clearing projects in Alaska to protect and avoid disturbance of nesting migratory birds. The USFWS Advisory and Timing Matrix (pdf).

For more information on environmental review as conducted by Conservation Planning, contact our Project Planning branch chief, Frances Mann, at either Frances_Mann@fws.gov or by phone at 907-271-3053

Last updated: November 7, 2008