USFWS updates decades-old mitigation policy

USFWS proposed an update to its decades-old mitigation policy that would provide a “streamlined approach” to lessening the impacts of development on fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats. The proposed revision would broaden the definition of “mitigation” to incorporate landscape-level stressors, including habitat loss and climate change, which can work in conjunction with development to negatively impact wildlife. The policy revision also granted USFWS the authority to apply this mitigation policy to the conservation of threatened and endangered species.

USFWS will accept public comment on the proposed revision until May 7, 2016.

For more information, see the USFWS’ press statement.