What We Do
Our Services
- Federal Agency Consultations
- Habitat Conservation Planning
- Listing and Recovery
- Conservation Partnerships
- Environmental Contaminants
- Tribal Relations
- Recovery Permitting
- Grants administration
- Public Affairs
- Geographic Information Systems
- Budget and Administration
Section 7 Section 7
Section 7 Consultation
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) directs all Federal agencies to work to conserve endangered and threatened species and to use their authorities to further the purposes of the Act. Section 7 of the Act, called "Interagency Cooperation," is the mechanism by which Federal agencies ensure the actions they take, including those they fund or authorize, do not jeopardize the existence of any listed species.
Learn more about Section 7 Consultation
One way in which the North Dakota Field Office fulfills the Ecological Services Program Mission is through section 7 consultations under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Through consultation, we work with partners and action agencies to avoid or reduce impacts to federally listed and candidate species, and their habitats.
Section 7(a)(2) of the ESA requires Federal agencies to consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to ensure that actions they fund, authorize, permit, or otherwise carry out will not jeopardize the continued existence of any listed species or adversely modify designated critical habitats. Federal agencies are not required to contact the FWS if a proposed action will have no effect on listed species, or if no species are present in the action area. However, Federal agencies must initiate consultation with the FWS if a proposed action may affect one or more listed species. For more information see the FWS's national consultation web page.
For action agencies: Please begin by accessing the Information for Planning and Consultation System ( IPaC IPaC
Information for Planning and Consultation (IPaC) is a project planning tool that streamlines the USFWS environmental review process
Learn more about IPaC ) at https://ipac.ecosphere.fws.gov This website provides species and critical habitat lists, information regarding species range, and project conservation measures within a specific project area. Through the use of this tool, you will be able to determine if consultation with the FWS is needed. Please see our 'Library' link to download PDF documents that will guide you through the IPaC process.
If you determine that consultation with FWS is needed, please send consultation packages in PDF format to the following email address: southdakotafieldoffice@fws.gov OR mail them to the office directly: 420 S. Garfield Ave, Suite 400, Pierre, SD, 57501. Please do not both email and mail consultation packages, electronic packages are preferred.
Management and Conservation
The South Dakota Field Office is involved in multiple project with a variety of State, Federal, Tribal, NGO, and Private entities to help maintain, enhance, and/or restore native habitats, primarily prairies. Projects may include surveys to help establish species occupancy, richness, or diversity, projects that reintroduce plants and/or animals back to native habitats, projects that promote management that will benefit native prairie plant and animal communities.
Our Projects and Research
The Great Plains Bumble Bee Atlas. In cooperation with the Xerces Society, the USFWS ES offices in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Kansas are working with volunteers to document the presence and range of Bumble Bees throughout the Great Plains (https://www.bumblebeeatlas.org/greatplainsbba.html). As there are currently 6 species of bumble bees that are ESA listed or petitioned for listing.