Whats the difference between informal and formal consultation?
Informal consultation is an optional process that is designed to help the applicant and the action agency determine whether formal consultation is needed. It includes all discussions, correspondence, etc., between the Services, the action agency, and the applicant, and has no specified timeframe for completion. Federal agencies and the designated non-Federal entity may use this period to work with the Services on project design and conservation actions that would remove all adverse effects and avoid the need for formal consultation. Formal consultation is a mandatory process for proposed projects that may adversely affect listed species, is initiated in writing by the Federal agency, and concludes with the issuance of a biological opinion by the Services. The Services strongly encourage the use of informal consultation so that projects can be designed with minimal impact to listed species, possibly resulting in a determination of no adverse effect, eliminating the need for formal consu
