Opinion ID: 763739
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Endangered Species and the Statutory Framework

Text: 4 The events giving rise to this dispute began with NMFS's identification in 1991 of Snake River sockeye as an endangered species and NMFS's listing in 1992 of Snake River spring/summer and fall chinook as threatened species. 3 As a result, these salmon species came under the protection of the Endangered Species Act, section 7 of which mandates, in part, that: 5 Each Federal agency shall, in consultation with and with the assistance of the Secretary [of the Interior or Commerce], insure that any action authorized, funded, or carried out by such agency ... is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered species or threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of habitat of such species which is determined by the Secretary to be critical.... 6 16 U.S.C. § 1536(a)(2). This subsection further provides: 7 In fulfilling the requirements of this paragraph each agency shall use the best scientific and commercial data available. 8 Id. With regard to salmon, the Secretary of Commerce has delegated its authority to NMFS. See 50 C.F.R. § 402.01(b); American Rivers v. National Marine Fisheries Serv., 126 F.3d 1118, 1122 n. 7 (9th Cir.1997). 9 When formal consultation is required under section 7, NMFS, as the consulting agency, must provide a written statement ... detailing how the agency action affects the species or its critical habitat to the federal agency at issue (also referred to as the action agency). 16 U.S.C. § 1536(b)(3)(A); see 50 C.F .R. § 402.14 (formal consultation is required if an action might affect a listed species or critical habitat). This written statement is referred to as a Biological Opinion (BiOp). If the BiOp concludes that jeopardy or adverse modification exists, NMFS must suggest reasonable and prudent alternatives (RPAs) that it believes would not violate section 7(a)(2) and that can be implemented by the action agency. 16 U.S.C. § 1536(b)(3)(A). In addition, if NMFS concludes that no jeopardy exists or that RPAs would avoid jeopardy and that the incidental taking of endangered or threatened species will not violate section 7(a)(2), NMFS must issue an Incidental Take Statement specifying the conditions under which incidental taking may occur. 16 U.S.C. § 1536(b)(4). 10