Byron Hamstead

Byron’s primary responsibilities include working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and other federal agencies to meet the requirements set forth in section 7 of the Endangered Species Act. Section 7 Section 7
Section 7 Consultation The Endangered Species Act (ESA) directs all Federal agencies to work to conserve endangered and threatened species and to use their authorities to further the purposes of the Act. Section 7 of the Act, called "Interagency Cooperation," is the mechanism by which Federal agencies ensure the actions they take, including those they fund or authorize, do not jeopardize the existence of any listed species.

Learn more about Section 7 of the Act mandates that federal agencies can’t jeopardize the existence of a species of destroy or adversely modify habitat critical to the recovery of a threatened or endangered species. Byron works with agencies to identify and minimize or eliminate negative plant, fish, and wildlife impacts from projects they fund or authorize.

With a background in aquatic animals, Byron has broad experience across the south, from searching for freshwater mussels in Alabama to working on hydropower energy projects in South Carolina.