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Missouri鈥檚 Endangered Species Determination Key is a tool for aiding IPaC users in assessing project impacts on listed species, streamlining ESA compliance and consultation processes and generation of concurrence or technical assistance letters

Note: This is an developing project is ongoing and is currently undergoing beta testing within the IPaC IPaC
Information for Planning and Consultation (IPaC) is a project planning tool that streamlines the USFWS environmental review process

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About the Missouri D-key:

The Missouri Endangered Species Determination Key (DKey) is an interactive tool developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service鈥檚 Missouri Ecological Services Field Office to help project proponents navigate the requirements of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) more efficiently. Delivered through the Information for Planning and Consultation (IPaC) platform, this tool serves as a streamlined pathway for evaluating potential impacts of proposed projects on federally listed species and their critical habitats across Missouri. At its core, the DKey simplifies the often-complex ESA consultation process by guiding users through a structured series of questions tailored to their project鈥檚 location and scope. Based on responses and spatial data, the tool produces pre-determined biological effect outcomes such as 鈥渘o effect,鈥� 鈥渘ot likely to adversely affect,鈥� or 鈥渕ay affect.鈥� These outcomes are designed to reflect the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service鈥檚 recommended determinations and can be used to complete section 7 consultations for federal actions or to obtain technical assistance for non-federal projects. 

  • Accessible to Many Users: Open to federal agencies, consultants, landowners, developers, and others鈥攚hether a project is federally funded, permitted, or privately initiated.
  • Species Covered: Most federally listed species in Missouri are included, such as bats, mussels, fish, insects, and plants. Notably, the northern long-eared bat and tricolored bat are excluded; they are currently covered under a separate national DKey.
  • Missouri-Only Coverage: Projects must fall entirely within Missouri to use the tool.
  • Limitations: Certain high-impact or complex actions are excluded and require direct consultation with the Missouri Field Office. These include Wind turbines, Dam or cave modifications, Stream or sinkhole discharges, Chemical applications, and Purposeful take or collection of listed species
  • Benefits: The Missouri DKey provides clarity and consistency in ESA compliance, reduces delays and uncertainty in project planning, and supports the conservation of Missouri鈥檚 at-risk species.

For most projects within Missouri, the DKey offers a user-friendly way to meet ESA requirements while supporting wildlife protection and habitat conservation.

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