FURLOUGH Rapid Response Containment Exercise Zebra and Quagga Mussel Rapid Response Program

This letter responds to your July 1, 2025, request for initiation of consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for the subject action.We reviewed the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) consultation request and related initiation package.Where relevant, we have adopted the information and analyses you have provided and/or referenced but only after our independent, science-based evaluation confirmed they meet our regulatory and scientific standards.In our biological opinion below, we indicate what parts of your document(s) we have incorporated by reference and where that information is being incorporated.Thank you also for your request for essential fish habitat (EFH) consultation.NMFS reviewed the proposed action for potential effects on EFH pursuant to section 305(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA), implementing regulations at 50 CFR 600.920, and agency guidance for use of the ESA consultation process to complete EFH consultation.However, we concluded that there are no adverse effects on EFH.Therefore, we are hereby concluding EFH consultation.CONSULTATION HISTORY USACE contacted NMFS on July 1, 2025, requesting consultation for the proposed containment exercise action by the multi-agency working group "Zebra and Quagga Mussel Rapid Response Program."USACE submitted a consultation initiation