Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act directs all Federal agencies to use their existing authorities to conserve threatened and endangered species and, in consultation with the Service, to ensure that their actions do not jeopardize listed species or destroy or adversely modify critical habitat. Section 7 applies to management of Federal lands as well as other Federal actions that may affect listed species, such as Federal approval of private activities through the issuance of Federal permits, licenses, or other actions.

To expedite the consultation and environmental review process, the Oklahoma Ecological Services Field Office has provided information below that will enable you to properly evaluate potential environmental concerns and/or provide the information necessary for a timely and accurate review and response from the Service. All requests should include an evaluation of potential environmental concerns and incorporate the appropriate information as described in the guidance documents below. We require a minimum of 30 days to review and respond to complete requests. However, complex projects may require additional review and response time.

• Environmental Review Guidelines - Provides general guidance for requests related to federally-listed species, the National Environmental Policy Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, wetlands, designated wilderness areas and wildlife preserves, designated wild and scenic rivers, and cultural resources.


• Biological Assessment/Evaluation Development Guidelines - Provides guidance on submitting a complete request to the Service and explains the difference between a Biological Assessment and Biological Evaluation.


• Project Description and Evaluation Request Outline - Provides an outline of specific details the Service recommends addressing before submitting a complete request to the Service.


• Actions with No Impacts to Federally-listed Species or other Federal Trust Resources - Provides blanket clearance for certain projects which, in most cases, the Service believes will have no impact on federally-listed species or other trust resources.

• Tower Projects: Standard Guidance for Towers - Provides guidance and conservation measures for communication tower projects. (for more information on towers, go HERE)


• American burying beetle: For more information and related documents, go HERE


• Wind Energy: For more information and related documents, go HERE

• Threatened and Endangered Species in Oklahoma - List (MS Word or PDF)


• Threatened and Endangered Species in Oklahoma - County Distributions (MS Word or MS Excel or PDF)


• Map of Federally-Listed Aquatic Species Watersheds of Oklahoma (PDF)
• Map of Federal Candidate Aquatic Species Watersheds of Oklahoma (PDF)
• Map of Federally-Listed Aquatic Dependent Species Watersheds of Oklahoma (PDF)
• Map of Watersheds Adjoining Oklahoma's NWR's and Hatchery (PDF)
• Threatened and Endangered Species in Oklahoma - Species Profiles

• Best Management Practices for Rivers, Streams, and Tributaries


• Best Management Practices for Streamside Management Zones


• Best Management Practices for Karst Features (for more information on karst features, go HERE)

• Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended


• Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act - Regulations


• Endangered Species Act Consultation Handbook