What is the Environmental Review Process?
What Happens Next?
What is the Landowner's Responsibility?
Who Can Help?
What Gets Reviewed?
How Do You Request an Environmental Review?

What is the Environmental Review Process?
During an Environmental Review, proposed projects are reviewed for impacts to endangered and threatened species. These reviews are conducted to comply with Part 365, Endangered Species Protection, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, Act 451 of the Michigan Public Acts of 1994. The process can be initiated two ways: 1) The Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Wildlife Division staff receive a written request for review of a proposed project; or 2) a proposed project site is reviewed on the Endangered Species Assessment website. In both cases, the location of the proposed project is compared with Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI) data for locations of endangered or threatened species and other natural features (special concern species, exemplary natural communities, and geologic features).

What Happens Next?
If no threatened or endangered species occur or have potential to occur within the project scope, a written response is mailed to the requestor indicating as such (those using the Endangered Species Assessment website can submit a request to have their response sent electronically.) If a threatened or endangered species is known to occur or has potential to occur within the project scope, further evaluations are conducted to determine if the species will be affected by the proposed project. Habitat requirements, species rarity, scope of the project, and the potential impacts are all used to determine if a species will be impacted by the project activities. Those who submitted a written request for a review will be provided a written response with further instructions. Those using the Endangered Species Assessment website can submit a request for a formal review, after which a written response with further instructions will be provided. Species information is included with every review and recommendations to minimize impacts may be provided.

What is the Landowner's Responsibility?
In Michigan, threatened and endangered species are protected on both public and private lands. Part 365 states an individual may not harm or take threatened and endangered species. When it is uncertain if a threatened or endangered species occupies the project area or project impacts are unclear, a biological survey should be done to assess presence or absence of a protected species. Survey reports and/or other information can be reviewed by DNR Wildlife to determine potential impacts to threatened or endangered species. A letter of "no effect" may be issued once concerns are alleviated.

• Options are available to the landowner to determine "no effect."
• A survey is sometimes the only way to determine if the species of concern will be impacted. The survey report is reviewed during the Environmental Review process for completeness and adequacy. Guidelines for conducting surveys (PDF 10KB) are available from DNR Wildlife.
• If threatened or endangered species will be taken or harmed, an Endangered Species Permit is required.

Who Can Help?
A list of consultants who hold current Endangered Species Permits (PDF 12KB) is available from DNR Wildlife. Consultants are not required to be certified, licensed, or bonded in order to conduct endangered species surveys in Michigan. The DNR cannot endorse or represent the quality of work they provide.

What Gets Reviewed?
Environmental Reviews are conducted for the Department of Environmental Quality, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Transportation, Department of Agriculture, private consultants, some Federal Agencies including the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Army, local government groups, non-profit organizations, and individuals. Approximately 3175 review requests were processed in 2003.

How Do You Request an Environmental Review?
Those using the Endangered Species Assessment website can perform their own preliminary review and request a formal review (if necessary) directly on the website. Others can request an environmental review by sending a written request with the following information:

• brief description of the proposed project
• brief description of the location (town, range, section, county)
• what is there now (buildings, type of vegetation, recent disturbance)
• map of location clearly marked with major roads for reference

You will receive a written response in approximately 3 to 4 weeks. Reviews are processed in the order they are received. We can not give out location data or conduct reviews over the phone, all requests must be received in writing. There is no charge for this service. Send requests to:

Lori Sargent
Wildlife Division
Endangered Species Specialist
P.O. Box 30444
Lansing, MI 48909
517-373-9418
Fax 517-373-6705
sargenl2@michigan.gov

Options Available to Landowner

In order to have a project clearance evaluation conducted, please provide at least one of the following:

1. Description of the project area with regard to the species habitat type(s) described above. A recent photo of the project site and a map that shows habitat type(s) and location(s) of the proposed project will be necessary. This can be done by the landowner, other responsible party, or knowledgeable source (i.e. botanist, ecologist, biologist, experienced birder, etc.). This level of evaluation will only define the presence or absence of available habitat. If it is determined by this office that there is no significant available habitat, the project may be cleared at this point. If potential habitat does exist, the next level of evaluation must be undertaken (see options 2 or 3 below).
   
   
2. A statement from a knowledgeable source (see above) stating that suitable habitat is or is not present and why the project will not impact the species or habitat(s) identified above.
   
   
3. Results from a complete and adequate survey by a knowledgeable source (see above) showing whether or not the above listed species are present in the affected project area. Guidelines for conducting surveys (PDF 10KB) are available from DNR Wildlife. For additional information and guidance for conducting surveys, including consultation with DNR and MNFI staff biologists, please contact Lori Sargent.