Management and Conservation

The Long Island Field Office is responsible for the following activities throughout Long Island, New York City, and Rockland and Westchester Counties: 

  • Implementation of recovery plans for federally-listed threatened or endangered species 
  • Consultation with other federal agencies on fish and wildlife resource issues under the Endangered Species Act, the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, the Coastal Barrier Resources Act, and other authorities
  • Providing technical assistance to individuals and agencies to assist with project planning
  • Working with landowners to develop Habitat Conservation Plans
  • Assessing impacts of contaminants to fish and wildlife resources and helping to restore contaminated habitats affected by oil spills, or legacy contaminants
  • Working with partners to restore and protect coastal resources, enhance fish passage fish passage
    Fish passage is the ability of fish or other aquatic species to move freely throughout their life to find food, reproduce, and complete their natural migration cycles. Millions of barriers to fish passage across the country are fragmenting habitat and leading to species declines. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Fish Passage Program is working to reconnect watersheds to benefit both wildlife and people.

    Learn more about fish passage     , and control  invasive species invasive species
    An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.

    Learn more about invasive species
  • Promoting public stewardship of fish and wildlife resources by partnering with schools, public and private conservation organizations, as well as locally elected officials and the Long Island National Wildlife Refuges Complex to communicate our conservation mission and opportunities

For assistance in determining whether a federally listed, proposed, or candidate species, and/or designated “critical habitat” may occur within a proposed project area, click here: New York Project Reviews

Conservation Planning Assistance 

Conservation Planning Assistance aids state and federal regulatory agencies in minimizing the impacts of Federally- licensed, permitted, or funded projects on fish and wildlife resources. Our role in the review of these projects is mandated by the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, a law which requires Federal agencies to consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) on all projects that may impact wetlands, streams, lakes, and rivers. Land and water regulatory agencies, such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), rely on the biologically sound recommendations of our agency to minimize the environmental impacts of projects that they implement or authorize.

Our responsibilities include:

  • Promoting development options that conserve fish and wildlife habitat
  • Protecting and providing buffers for wetlands and aquatic resources
  • Maintaining and improving stream flows and habitat

Federal Permitting and Project Information

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers coordinates with the Service on all proposed construction projects for flood control, shoreline stabilization, or navigation as required under the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act. The Service’s role is to ensure that construction is planned with a view toward conservation of fish and wildlife. Every year, the Long Island Field Office reviews numerous public notices prepared by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Coast Guard. In these public notices, applicants propose to impact wetlands, streams, and other water bodies. The Service is effective at reducing the impacts of these projects on fish and wildlife resources and ensuring that mitigation is provided to achieve fish and wildlife benefits.

Resources:

Renewable Energy (Solar and Wind)

The Long Island Field Office plays an important role in the development of New York State’s solar and wind energy resources. We are partnering with other stakeholder agencies and organizations involved in bringing electrical energy generated by solar and wind power to the State’s transmission grid, and ultimately to consumers. Solar and wind energy are expected to meet increasingly more of our State’s electrical demand for energy generated from renewable sources. They produce no emissions and are generally environmentally clean technology. The Long Island Field Office will continue to consult with project sponsors prior to solar or wind energy construction to assess if proposals might adversely affect natural resources or threatened and endangered species such as bald eagles, northern long-eared bats, or piping plovers.

Resources:

  • FWS Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines link
  • FWS Offshore Wind Energy Guidelines link
  • FWS Bald and Golden Eagle Management Guidelines link