Threatened and Endangered Species

Contact: Geological Survey, 517 241 1515

 An oil and gas well applicant is responsible to determine if threatened or endangered (T&E) species will be impacted by drilling and producing an oil or gas well at a specific site.  Information developed regarding T&E species is identified in or attached to the Environmental Impact Assessment (form EQP 7200-19).  An accurate response to the question of whether T&E species are present in the area will help ensure the application is not delayed or denied because it has a technical deficiency.  The Department of Natural Resources is responsible for the protection of state endangered and threatened species under the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act of 1994. The Michigan Natural Features Inventory maintains a database on the locations of rare species and natural communities in Michigan. The following sources are available to help determine the presence of T&E species in Michigan:  

• The Michigan Natural Features Inventory will supply information on a geographic area or species-specific requests.  Requestors will receive a text file listing species name, common name, federal status, state status, element occurrence category, last observed date, township, range and section for all occurrences on a topographic quadrangle.  There is a fee for this service based upon the number of quadrangles involved in the request. Expedited responses are available for an additional $25 fee.  For instructions and more information go to http://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/explorer/search.cfm . 
• Countywide lists of T&E and Special Concern species are available on the internet at http://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/data/county.cfm/ .  This will list all known T&E and Special Concern species in the county but does not give specific location information. 
• Another website hosted by the Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division is available at http://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/esa/ .   This site allows delineation of T&E species on a map view basis.  If a site has T&E species known then it is shaded.  This link does not identify the T&E species present.  From this site, it is possible to make a direct contact to DNR for a formal evaluation; this process takes 30-45 days. 
• If you have obtained a state of Michigan oil and gas lease that contains Lease Stipulations, which mention T&E species, then it is likely that drilling and production activities may impact those species.  Have a qualified biologist or botanist survey the area to determine if and to what extent species may be impacted.  Send the survey to Lori Sargent of the Wildlife Division, DNR, for approval of the survey and plan of development PRIOR to sending in the application to drill.  

Alternatively, a direct request may be made to the DNR Wildlife Division  by identifying the area where drilling and production is to take place.