How to Submit an Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7 Consultation Request.
1. Where do I submit my Section 7 consultation request?
We require that all ESA Section 7 consultation requests/packages be submitted electronically to nmfs.ser.esa.consultations@noaa.gov (copy and paste the email address).
IMPORTANT NOTE: this email restricts file sizes to 25mb. Larger files need to be split into multiple emails or shared via a data-sharing portal (e.g., PKZIP®, WinZip® safe share, Google Drive) for us to download.
NOAA Fisheries Southeast Region has a large consultation tracking system that uses the official email address above (nmfs.ser.esa.consultations@noaa.gov) for all of our consultation requests. To avoid confusion and delays, please DO NOT submit a hard-copy of your request, and please DO NOT submit electronic requests to individual email addresses other than the official inbox.
2. What do I need to submit?
For projects that are minor (i.e., projects that do not meet the definition of “major federal actions”, as defined in 50 CFR § 404.02), please submit all requests for consultation in the Expedited consultation format. More information on the Expedited process and writing resources for preparing letter of concurrence requests can be found at www.fisheries.noaa.gov/southeast/consultations/expedited-informal-consultations
For major construction activities, please submit your Biological Assessment (BA) electronically to the email address above. Information on BAs can be found in the ESA Section 7 Handbook.
ESA Questions
For general questions about ESA concerns or the ESA Section 7 consultation process, send your request to nmfs.ser.esa.consultations@noaa.gov (copy and paste link) and include “ESA QUESTION” in the subject line to ensure your request is routed properly.
Return to the Southeast Region's ESA Section 7 Interagency Consultation main page here.
