US Fish & Wildlife Service

The WEST team has more than two decades of experience on a wide array of projects for the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in addition to handling many projects for private clients that involve regular interaction with USFWS.

WEST professionals have an outstanding working knowledge of the biology of various listed species and are familiar with the most up-to-date techniques and equipment for studying federally protected wildlife and plants. WEST personnel are USFWS trained in Endangered Species Act Section 7 Consultation, Section 10 Habitat Conservation Planning, and survey protocols requiring federal endangered species permits, ensuring scientifically supported project impacts assessments and compliance strategies for our clients.

Services

  • Threatened and Endangered Species Studies, Surveys, Habitat Evaluations, and Impact Assessments
  • Habitat Conservations Plans
  • Biological Assessments
  • Candidate Conservation Agreements, Safe Harbor Agreements
  • Avoidance, Minimization, and Mitigation Strategies
  • Siting Assessments and Construction Monitoring
  • General and Advanced Statistical Analysis
  • National Environmental Policy Act Compliance

WEST co-founder, Dr. Dale Strickland, served as a scientific technical advisor on the Federal Advisory Committee that developed the recommendations that served as the foundation of the USFWS Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines (Guidelines). This provides WEST with a unique understanding of the Guidelines as well as the methods and metrics behind them. Dr. Strickland was also lead author of the 2011 Comprehensive Guide to Studying Wind Energy/Wildlife Interactions, which the Guidelines reference repeatedly for details on recommended methods and metrics. Our team has conducted technical reviews of the draft Guidelines since their initial release, are knowledgeable of the changes to the Guidelines, and keep in frequent communication with the USFWS to understand USFWS interpretation of them.

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