Habitat management, Resilience and risk mitigation

Federal Projects

The Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act requires federal agencies to consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on all projects that impact wetlands, bayous, coulees, streams, lakes and rivers, and to give fish and wildlife resources equal consideration during the project planning process, while at the same time accomplishing the objectives of the proposed action.

We work to conserve fish, wildlife and their habitats by avoiding and minimizing impacts and recommending mitigation for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) flood risk reduction and navigation projects. We improve the design and function of the Corps’ ecosystem restoration projects and provide recommendations for beneficial use of dredge material from federally authorized navigation projects. Our staff assists the Corps by serving as members of planning teams, reviewing and providing recommendations on proposed project plans and designs, conduct impact assessments, developing mitigation plans, and providing knowledge and expertise about wildlife and habitat management and wetland restoration.

Other authorities under which we provide assistance and guidance to help achieve environmental compliance include the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Clean Water Act (CWA), the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA), Bald and Golden Eagle Management and the Magnuson-Stevens Act (for Essential Fish Habitat). 

Our office works with the three Corps’ Districts that cover Louisiana: New Orleans DistrictVicksburg District, and Galveston District. The first two districts are in the Corps Mississippi Valley Division, while the Galveston District is located in the Corps Southwestern Division

Information for Planning and Consultation ( IPaC IPaC
Information for Planning and Consultation (IPaC) is a project planning tool that streamlines the USFWS environmental review process

Learn more about IPaC
) ( https://ecos.fws.gov/ipac/) is a project planning tool that streamlines the Endangered Species Act (ESA) consultation process. You will be able to determine whether any threatened or endangered species or their critical habitats may exist within your project area and if your proposed action may affect (potential for negative impacts to federally listed species or critical habitat, if applicable) them. More information is available on our Project Review page.

Studies
Project TypeProject NamePoint of ContactFWS DocumentsAdditional Project Information
Feasibility StudyAmite River and TributariesCathy Breaux.Amite River, Amite River Ecosystem, Amite River Tributaries
Feasibility StudyUpper Barataria Basin Cathy BreauxProject Documents and AssessmentsUpper Barataria Study
Feasibility StudyMaurepas Swamp Diversion Cathy BreauxWetland Value Assessments (WVA) and Supporting InformationRiver Reintroduction Into Maurepas Swamp
Feasibility studySt. Tammany Feasibility StudyKaren SoileauProject Documents and AssessmentsFeasibility Study
Feasibility studySouth Central Coastal LouisianaCathy BreauxProject Documents and AssessmentsProject Plan
Feasibility StudySouthwest Coastal Louisiana Cathy BreauxProject Documents and AssessmentsFeasibility Report and EIS, Project Overview
Beneficial UseLCA Beneficial Use of Dredged Material Program (BUDMAT)Cathy Breaux.BUDMAT Program
RestorationMid-Breton Sediment DiversionCathy BreauxProject Documents and AssessmentsEnvironmental Impact Statement (EIS)
RestorationMid-Barataria Sediment DiversionCathy BreauxProject Documents and AssessmentsEnvironmental Impact Statement (EIS)
Flood Risk Reduction
Project TypeProject NamePoint of ContactFWS DocumentsAdditional Project Information
Flood ControlWest Shore Lake PontchartrainCathy BreauxProject Documents and AssessmentsProject Details
Flood ControlGrand Isle & Vicinity BreakwatersKaren Soileau
Flood ControlCarrollton FloodwallCathy BreauxProject Details
Flood ControlEast Baton Rouge Flood Risk ReductionCathy BreauxProject Details
Flood ControlComite River DiversionKaren SoileauProject Details
Flood ControlMorganza to the Gulf - Humble CanalDavid CastellanosProject Documents and AssessmentsProject Details
Flood ControlMorganza to the Gulf Post Authorization Change ReportDavid Castellanos
Urban Flood ControlSoutheast Louisiana Urban Flood Control Projects (SELA) - GeneralCathy Breaux
Urban Flood ControlSELA Schneider CanalKaren Soileau
Urban Flood ControlSELA W-14 CanalKaren Soileau
Urban Flood ControlSELA Hoey BasinCathy Breaux
Urban Flood ControlSELA London- OrleansCathy Breaux
Urban Flood ControlSELA  Algiers CanalCathy Breaux
Navigation
Project TypeProject NamePoint of ContactFWS DocumentsAdditional Project Information
Navigation StructuresInner Harbor Navigation Channel (IHNC) Lock ReplacementCathy BreauxProject Documents and AssessmentsProject Details
Channel MaintenanceMississippi River Ship Channel, Gulf to BRCathy BreauxProject Details
Navigation StructuresGIWW Calcasieu LocksCathy BreauxProject Details
Channel MaintenanceHouma Navigation Channel (HNC) DeepeningCathy Breaux
Channel DeepeningBaptiste Collette DeepeningHugh O'ConnorProject Details
Channel DeepeningPort Fourchon Channel DeepeningKaren Soileau
Mississippi River and Tributaries (MR&T)
Project TypeProject NamePoint of ContactFWS DocumentsAdditional Project Information
OperationsMR&T 5th LA DistrictCathy BreauxProject Documents and Assessments
OperationsAtchafalaya  Basin  Floodway Levee ConstructionProject Details
OperationsCharenton Floodgate
RecreationAtchafalaya Basin Recreation  Development
OperationsMorganzaDavid CastellanosProject Details
OperationsBonnet CarreAmy TrahanProject Details