Water resources planning under the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act

This paper briefly discusses the more significant provisions of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (1958). It covers pertinent aspects of legislative history, the development and current status (April 1980) of certain policies relevant to administering the Act, and other matters. It is directed primarily to practicing fish and wildlife agency field biologists, planners, and decisionmakers engaged in water resources development activities under the Act. It is not intended to be exhaustive in its treatment.

The Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act provides a basic procedural framework for the orderly consideration of fish and wildlife conservation measures to be incorporated into Federal and Federally permitted or licensed water development projects. The principal provisions of the Act include:

1. a statement of Congressional purpose that fish and wildlife conservation shall receive equal consideration with other project features;

2. mandatory consultation with wildlife agencies with a view to achieving such conservation;

3. full consideration by action of the recommendations stemming from consultation;

4. authority for action agencies to implement such recommendations as they find acceptable.

The FWCA in effect amends, conditions, or supplements other Federal laws and is thus closely linked in its application and interpretation. It is similarly linked to Federal planning standards and procedures. Because of this, interpretations tend to be flexible and evolve, adapting to changing situations.

The following reference matrix outlines selected sections of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act which are of particular relevance to planners.