EXH0266019469

Re: Biological Assessment for Master Plan Update Improvements at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport ('NMFS No. WSB-00-31 $) and Essential Fish Habitat consultation Dear Mr. Johnson: On June 16, 2000, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) received a Biological Assessment (BA) from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on behalf of the Port of Seattle (Port). The Port is FAA's designated non-federal representative for this consultation. The BA considered numerous construction projects included in the Master Plan Update Improvements for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (STIA). FA.A requested consuhation under the Endangered Species Act (S¢c 7(a)(2)) for chinook salmon (Onchorhynchus tshmvytscha). The Port is the proponent of the STIA projects but FAA provides partial funding _ for the action, thus creating a Federal nexus and the need for section 7 consultation. This consultation covers federal actions that are required to implement STIA projects including: 1) FAA funding of airport improvements, 2) FA+Aconstruction of a control tower and navigational aids, 3) Issuance of a 404 permit by the Corps of Engineers (COE) as required by the Federal Clean Water Act. The BA also addressed the effects of STIA projects on Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) of coastal pelagic species and West Coast groundfish as required by Section 305(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. EFH for Coho salmon (O. kisutch), a candidate species in Puget Sound, was not considered in this consultation although an independent assessment of EFH for coho was prepared by the Port and delivered to NMFS on March 27, 2001. The BA concludes that STIA projects…

Open full document

Upcoming Events

PSCAA Advisory Council Meeting Agenda
Add to CalendarMWednesday Mar 11, 9:00am - 11:35am
1904 3rd Avenue, Suite 105, Seattle, WA 98101
Call to order – Roll Call – Quorum Established – Land Acknowledgement We would like to acknowledge that our Agency operates in four present-day counties, which are the traditional lands of the Coast Salish people, past and present. This acknowledgement does not take the place of authentic relationships with indigenous communities in our jurisdiction and [...]