ODOT Programmatic ESA Consultation on the Federal-Aid Highway Program (FAHP) User’s Guide Training, June-July 2013 When a new project begins early coordination, the project proponent (REU or local agency) will alert project stakeholders via regarding: Project Name Key # Location General concept of project with anticipated activities that may affect species - e.g., turning lane project with new impervious surface area Anticipated dates for key project milestones - e.g., DAP, PS&E, Bid-let - As best as known at time of Initiation Information for FAHP Project Initiation (Page 10)

ODOT Programmatic ESA Consultation on the Federal-Aid Highway Program (FAHP) User’s Guide Training, June-July 2013 Project Notification It’s a process, not just a form Timing based on FHWA requirements for NEPA approval (e.g., CE Close-out Report) Begin Notification process about 12-weeks prior to deadline for NEPA approval –Local agency should get REU review before this –“Easy” projects may take less time, complex projects or if new to the FAHP may need more –FHWA review 2-4 weeks –NMFS review likely 2-8 weeks Range depends on complexity and allows for requests for additional information

ODOT Programmatic ESA Consultation on the Federal-Aid Highway Program (FAHP) User’s Guide Training, June-July 2013 Project Notification (cont.) Activities NOT Requiring Services Approval –Meet in-water work period(s) –Manual weed control or meets standards (pg 40) –Bridge replacement that meets fluvial performance and pile driving hydroacoustic standards (pgs 25,36) –No stream channel or waterway enhancements, or meet standards (pg 28) –Stormwater flow management in drainage basins larger that 100 mi2 & meets standards (pg 18) –None or only minor modifications to buffer distances, riparian habitat impacts minor modifications must be described in the Project Notification, including justification for lack of adverse impacts Page references are for May 2013 User’s Guide

ODOT Programmatic ESA Consultation on the Federal-Aid Highway Program (FAHP) User’s Guide Training, June-July 2013 See User’s Guide pg 5

ODOT Programmatic ESA Consultation on the Federal-Aid Highway Program (FAHP) User’s Guide Training, June-July 2013 Project Notification (cont.) Activities Requiring Services Approval –Actions with required mitigation (pg 17) –In-water work extension –Fisheries restoration –Weed control that does not meet standards (pg40) –Blasting in/near aquatic habitats only allowed when listed species will not be present –Bridge replacement cannot meet fluvial performance or pile driving hydroacoustic standards (pgs 25,36) –Stream channel or waterway enhancements does not meet standards (pg 28) –Flow management in a drainage basin < 100 mi2 –Other modifications to FAHP design standards that may result in direct impacts to listed aquatic resources

ODOT Programmatic ESA Consultation on the Federal-Aid Highway Program (FAHP) User’s Guide Training, June-July 2013 Project Notification (cont.) Check FAHP Website for current template Attachments? (see pg 11, Table 4) Quality Control –Check completeness & math; check consistency among Project Activities, Description, Stormwater Management, Habitat Effects, Attachments –Check latest Summary of Take (FAHP website) Create Project ftp folder Electronic signatures (Biologist, Constr. Project Manager, REU Manager) –See Append. 4 for digital signature instructions Page & Append. references are for May 2013 User’s Guide

ODOT Programmatic ESA Consultation on the Federal-Aid Highway Program (FAHP) User’s Guide Training, June-July 2013

ODOT Programmatic ESA Consultation on the Federal-Aid Highway Program (FAHP) User’s Guide Training, June-July 2013 Project Notification (cont.) Upload completed Notification Report to Project’s ftp folder REU transmits Notification to FHWA – notice to Region FHWA Op. Engineer –link Project’s ftp folder –cc FAHP Project stakeholders –See Append. 5 for content –Must include early coordination information All Notifications require review/approval by FHWA

ODOT Programmatic ESA Consultation on the Federal-Aid Highway Program (FAHP) User’s Guide Training, June-July 2013 Project Notification (cont.) FHWA Operations Engineer’s “duties”: –Review for FAHP scope, not an exclusion –Ensure sufficient early coordination –When approved, digitally sign –If No Services Approval: save as “FINAL”, upload to ftp transmittal “TO” REU, cc stakeholders & NMFS liaison –If Services Approval: save as “TO_SERVICES”, upload to ftp transmittal “TO” NMFS liaison for review and approval, cc stakeholders –See Append. 5 for content

ODOT Programmatic ESA Consultation on the Federal-Aid Highway Program (FAHP) User’s Guide Training, June-July 2013 Project Notification (cont.) NMFS Liaison “duties”: –If No Services Approval, review only If disagree, coordinate with NRU first to determine recourse –If Services Approval: Coordinate technical review by NMFS specialists, as applicable Coordinate digital signature and approval from Branch Manager Save as new file (“FINAL”), upload to ftp notice to FHWA, cc stakeholders

ODOT Programmatic ESA Consultation on the Federal-Aid Highway Program (FAHP) User’s Guide Training, June-July 2013 Project Notification (final steps) REU’s final “duties”: Ideally, within 2 weeks of final approval Save copy of “approval” (s), upload to Project’s ftp folder Delete older versions of Notification form so that ftp folder only has “FINAL” Check FAHP projects map –coordinate with NRU if status not updated, other information not correct

ODOT Programmatic ESA Consultation on the Federal-Aid Highway Program (FAHP) User’s Guide Training, June-July 2013 Illustration by Joseph Tomelleri