Protected Species Program - Environmental Assessment Unit
Goal
The Environmental Assessment Unit, Protected Species Program assists districts, other MnDOT offices, local highway departments, and partners avoid, minimize, and mitigate impacts to protected fish, wildlife, and other natural resources to meet or exceed regulatory requirements and agency objectives.
Products the unit provides
- Review of MnDOT projects and maintenance activities
- Endangered Species Act, Section 7 Consultation
- Negotiation of mitigation agreements with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
- Training, guidance, and technical support to ensure compliance with state and federal rules and regulations governing protected species
- Endangered species surveys and inspections
What to expect from the unit
- The products listed above
- Awareness of laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to protected species
What you need to provide to the unit
- Complete Early Notification Memo or Review Request Form
- Full scope of work, including timing, staging, and access
What the unit expects from you
- The items listed above
- Adequate time to complete surveys, if required, and analysis of project impacts
- Responses to questions in a timely manner
- Updated project scopes and dates if modified