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Michigan Natural Features Inventory
 
United States FIsh and Wildlife Service
 
Support Michigan's endangered, threatened and nongame wildlife
 
This website provides a preliminary evaluation of whether endangered, threatened or special concern species, high quality natural communities, or other unique natural features have been known to occur at or near a site of interest. The purpose of this site is to provide a simplified and efficient assessment of rare species and other unique natural features at user identified locations.

Step 1.
To begin the assessment process chose either the ‘Find a Location’ or ‘Browse the Map’ link to the left. Your search criteria will be recorded as a specific point on the map with an x and y coordinate. Therefore, search this application based on the center of your site of interest. Buffers have been incorporated to consider all species and communities within one mile from your point of interest.

Step 2.
After a location is chosen, identify whether there are unique natural features in the area by clicking on the Identify tool, then click on the map where the center of your project is located. The results will be listed below the map. Please scroll down to view the results. You will then have the option of submitting your search request to the DNR Wildlife Division from this Internet site.

Step 3.
If you chose to submit a request you will be asked to fill out contact and project information. After filling out and submitting this information, a formal letter will be sent to your e-mail address within one (1) business day from the DNR Wildlife Division indicating that either:

1) no rare species or unique natural features are known to occur near the site of interest,

OR

2) rare species or unique natural features have been known to occur near the site of interest.

Step 4.
If rare species or unique natural features have been known to occur near the site of interest and you’ve received your formal letter from the DNR Wildlife Division, please wait before beginning any project activities. The DNR Wildlife Division needs to review the project in more detail and will respond in 30-45 days. Click here for more information about the formal endangered species review process.

If no rare species or unique natural features are known to occur near the site of interest and you’ve received your formal letter from the DNR Wildlife Division, project activities can proceed.

Statutes Protecting Rare Species
Michigan’s endangered and threatened species are protected under
Part 365 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, Act 451 of the Michigan Public Acts of 1994. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is the state agency responsible for protecting state listed species in Michigan. Special concern species, high quality natural communities and other unique natural features are not legally protected by state or federal endangered species legislation. However, they are considered to be rare and should be protected to prevent future listing.

Federally listed species are protected under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is the federal agency responsible for federally listed species in Michigan.

LOON ALERT!
This is the alarm call of the common loon. Boaters should stay 150 yards or more from loons.  Boating too near loons may cause them to abandon their nest or young. You can help conserve loons by enjoying them from a distance.