The Corps, in partnership with the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), is committed to ensure protection for federally listed species and critical habitats, as required under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
This page is intended as a clearinghouse for information on Endangered Species as it applies to the Corps Wilmington District permit program.
What is a Section 7 Consultation?
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.
The Corps has taken special steps to ensure Section 7 compliance with all facets of our permit program.
How Do I Know Whether My Proposed Activity in Waters or Wetlands May Impact Endangered Species or Critical Habitat?
Although the Corps routinely checks all applications for nationwide and general permits for proximity to known occurrences of endangered species, designated critical habitat and potential habitat suitable for protected species, using best available data sets, the Corps also relies on self-reporting by applicants to ensure Section 7 compliance, for authorization under the nationwide or general permit program. There are a number of online resources, some of which are linked to the right column of the page, which applicants should use in making these checks.
Please note, however, that information, maps and data are provided for planning purposes for our stakeholders. The information on this site is not meant to replace any existing guidelines, rules, regulations or legal procedures. Field investigations are still necessary for locating protected species, and contact with appropriate FWS or NMFS staff is still recommended if there is a likelihood of encountering federally protected species or habitats.)
Please also check with the Corps regulatory project manager for the county in which the permitting activity is proposed.
Questions can also be directed to the Services:
Contact information at US FWS: (exit Corps Wilmington District web site)
Asheville Ecological Services Field Office
Raleigh Ecological Services Field Office
Sandhills Ecological Services Sub-Office
Corps of Engineers Permits and ESA
General Condition 18 of the 2012 Nationwide Permits explains the requirements of the ESA with respect to the Nationwide Permits (NWPs). The District Regional Conditions provide further protection for the aquatic resources in NC to ensure Section 7 compliance. Applicants must ensure that the ESA screening is reported on the Pre-Construction Notification (PCN) form. Contact the Corps project manager for the county in which the activity is proposed for any questions or assistance needed.
The District General Permit program will not authorize any activity which will adversely affect any threatened or endangered species or a species proposed for such designation, or their critical habitat.
Individual Permits
All standard (individual) permits will undergo a full agency review under Section 7 of the ESA.