Cooperative Agreement F25AC00738

THE COMMERCIAL SPACE INDUSTRY IS GROWING WITHIN THE CAPE CANAVERAL COMPLEX, WHICH INCLUDES CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION AND KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, AS IT IS AT OTHER LOCATIONS WITHIN THE UNITED STATES. THIS GROWTH IS IMPORTANT FOR BOTH NATIONAL SECURITY AND OUR BURGEONING SPACE TECHNOLOGIES. WITH THIS RAPID GROWTH, SEVERAL FEDERAL AGENCIES AND THEIR PRIVATE PARTNERS HAVE IDENTIFIED THE NEED TO HAVE GREATER REGULATORY EXPEDIENCY AND CLOSER INTERAGENCY COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE (SERVICE) AND ITS FEDERAL PARTNERS ON THE CAPE CANAVERAL COMPLEX FOR ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT SECTION 7 (ESA S7) COMPLIANCE. ONE OF THE LARGEST CONSTRAINTS ON THE ESA S7 PROCESS IS THE MISUNDERSTANDING OF EACH AGENCIES ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES. TO OVERCOME THIS CONSTRAINT AND PROVIDE REGULATORY EXPEDIENCE, THE SERVICE OFFERED TO INVESTIGATE THE POTENTIAL TO PROVIDE A TRAINING SO THAT ALL PARTIES ARE CLEAR ABOUT THE ESA S7 PROCESS.THE SERVICE ASKED DOUG LAYE TO TEACH A CLASS AT THE CAPE CANAVERAL COMPLEX TO OUR FEDERAL AGENCY AND PRIVATE PARTNERS. DOUG WAS FORMERLY THE NATIONAL ESA S7 COORDINATOR FOR THE SERVICE AND NOW PROVIDES ONLINE AND IN-PERSON ESA S7 TRAININGS. DOUG ACCEPTED THIS REQUEST AND WILL PROVIDE A 3-DAY IN-PERSON COURSE AT THE CAPE CANAVERAL COMPLEX.