The Hanford Site provides a diversity of biological communities. The site is home to at least 46 species of mammals, 10 species of reptiles, 5 species of amphibians, over 200 species of birds, well over 1,000 species of insects and invertebrates, and approximately 700 species of plants. Forty-six fish species have been identified in the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River, as well as numerous insects, crayfish, and mollusks.

Federal and state resource management agencies consider many of these species and associated habitats to be rare or of special concern. Federal laws, regulations, and Executive Orders protect ecological resources on the site, including the Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.

EAS assists DOE ensure its activities are in compliance with these and other requirements through the Ecological Compliance Project, part of the Public Safety & Resource Protection program. Specifically, EAS responsibilities and support functions to this project are to:

• Conduct ecological compliance reviews to determine if proposed contractor activities will adversely impact biological resources and provide recommendations to reduce environmental impacts
• Facilitate Sections 7 & 10 consultations required by the Endangered Species Act with federal and state regulatory agencies and stakeholders
• Define and map habitats and species distribution for land-use planning
• Perform baseline surveys and monitor compliance with applicable requirements
• Maintain a database on the regulatory status and distribution of species and habitats
• Develop natural resource management plans to minimize the impacts of site operations on ESA-listed flora and fauna (including salmonids).