Who is responsible for NEPA compliance during the HCP process?
The Service is responsible for ensuring NEPA compliance during the HCP process. However, if the Service does not have sufficient staff resources to prepare the appropriate NEPA analysis in a timely fashion, an applicant may, within certain limitations, prepare draft Environmental Assessment analyses. This can benefit the applicant and the government by expediting the application process and issuance of the permit. When this is done, the Service will: (1) provide the preparer with appropriate guidance concerning document preparation; and (2) review the document within 30 days and take responsibility ultimately for its scope, adequacy, and content. Does the public get to comment on our HCP? How do public comments affect our HCP? The Act requires a 30-day period for public comment on the application for an incidental take permit. Additionally, NEPA requires public comment on certain NEPA documents, and the Service runs these two comment periods concurrently. Therefore, public comments mus
