EMPSi works in partnership with the USFWS to implement effective approaches to species management, recovery, and conservation
EMPSi collaborates with the USFWS to conserve and recover threatened and endangered species and habitat, from smaller projects to those covering large landscapes and for various USFWS regions from Alaska (Region 7) to the Southeast (Region 4). We are experienced in a breadth of biologically-focused tasks, including developing technical studies, authoring biological assessments, conducting literature and peer reviews, surveying and monitoring, and preparing NEPA compliance and planning documents. EMPSi has successfully assisted clients with Endangered Species Act Section 7 consultation efforts including both program level and project-specific consultations. We also are experts in facilitating virtual and in-person public meetings for the USFWS. EMPSi helps the USFWS fulfill their management goals in various ways, including:
Species and Habitat Conservation and Restoration
DESERT TORTOISE CONSERVATION STRATEGY EIS, CA
Coordinating with the USFWS and 8minute Solar Energy to develop a general conservation plan and associated EIS for the threatened Desert Tortoise
This plan will enable programmatic permitting and conservation for solar development activities in the California Mojave Desert in an ESA-compliant manner
BITTER LAKE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE RIPARIAN RESTORATION PLAN, NM
Prepared a plan for Pecos River projects within the Bitter Lake NWR to improve native fish and habitat by restoring river flows and sediment movement
Partnered with USFWS hydrologists, fisheries, and staff, as well as Reclamation, the State of New Mexico, and the World Wildlife Fund
CRITICAL HABITAT Designation EA FOR NEOSHO MUCKET AND RABBITSFOOT MUSSELS, us
Helped prepare an EA for the designation of critical habitat for two mussel species in 43 critical habitat units encompassing 2,138 river miles of stream channel
Collaborated extensively with federal and state agencies, counties, industry, and other stakeholders
QUAGGA MUSSEL CONTAINMENT STRATEGY, NV/CA
Coordinated multi-agency development of a report identifying discrete actions to improve interjurisdictional containment of invasive quagga mussels at Lake Havasu and Lower Colorado River
Worked with agency staff at the Washington Office, State Office, and Field Office levels
Bat Conservation Strategy FOR ORMAT DIXIE MEADOWS and NORTH VALLEY GEOTHERMAL PROJECTs, NV
Prepared Bird and Bat Conservation Strategy documents for the USFWS analyzing impacts on bird and bat species and identifying mitigation measures
Conducted biological baseline surveys and authored biological baseline reports analyzing survey results
TERRESTRIAL THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES SURVEYS FOR THE USFWS GREAT PLAINS FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION OFFICE, NE
Conducted field surveys for federal and state threatened and endangered terrestrial species on DOD lands in eastern Nebraska, including Offutt AFB
Prepared a detailed report with maps describing the results of these surveys
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS ASSESSMENT FOR GREATER SAGE-GROUSE RMP REVISIONS AND AMENDMENTS, WESTERN US
Analyzed cumulative effects of 14 RMP amendments and EISs on Greater Sage-Grouse in 10 states
The analysis formed the basis of a range-wide USFWS report that informed their determination to not list the Greater Sage-Grouse as threatened
Literature and Peer Reviews
PEER REVIEW Of GRIZZLY BEAR SPECIES STATUS ASSESSMENT FOR THE LOWER 48 STATES, US
Conducted peer review of scientific information in the USFWS’s Biological Report for the Grizzly Bear in the Lower-48 States
This review will help the USFWS ensure that they are using the best scientific and commercial information for its five-year review recommendation
LITERATURE REVIEW Of STATUS AND HABITAT NEEDS FOR NWR RESOURCES OF CONCERN IN THE SOUTHEAST REGION, SOUTHEASTERN US
Authored literature reviews to-date of the current population status, distribution, and habitat requirements for 14 resources of concern
USFWS is using these literature reviews to identify habitat management objectives
PEER REVIEWS OF MEXICAN WOLF RECOVERY PLAN AND BIOLOGICAL REPORT, WESTERN US
Conducted peer review of scientific information in the USFWS Draft Biological Report and the Draft Revised Recovery Plan for the Mexican wolf
This review will help the USFWS ensure that they are using the best scientific and commercial information for recovery and conservation of the Mexican wolf
Public outreach and engagement
DRAFT PROGRAMMATIC EA FOR THE POTENTIAL NWR USE OF GENETICALLY ENGINEERED CROPS IN THE SOUTHEAST REGION, SOUTHEASTERN US
Developed a scoping plan and project website, analyzed comments, and prepared comment response reports for the Draft PEA
Facilitated five in-person public scoping meetings and two virtual public information sessions
PROPOSED RULE AMENDING PUBLIC USE REGULATIONS ON KENAI NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE LANDS, AK
Processed and analyzed 140,000 comment submissions on the proposed rule and EA for the Amendment of Public Use Regulations at Kenai NWR
Facilitated virtual public meetings for stakeholders and the public and prepared a comment report
VIRTUAL PUBLIC OUTREACH FOR VARIOUS USFWS PROJECTS, NATIONWIDE
Implemented virtual public outreach meetings, including workshops, question-and-answer sessions, and press conferences for projects throughout the lower-48 states, Alaska, and Hawaii
Completed the USFWS's first virtual Endangered Species Act public hearing on a delisting proposal
