The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Information for Planning and Conservation Decision Support System

The Service is continuing to developing their online Information for Planning and Consultation (IPaC) decision support system to provide project proponents with ecological information while leading them through a step-by-step project design process. Portions of this system are currently up and running while other parts are in active development. As IPaC functionality increases, the system allows users to compare design alternatives while constructing the documents needed to complete Endangered Species Act review and approval processes. Project proponents can use the system to develop information that can be directly incorporated into documents used in other environmental reviews, such as NEPA. IPaC can currently be used to provide resource information to regional planning efforts and facilitate the delivery of development programs in shorter timeframes because it simplifies and streamlines the review and approval process and integrates them with other environmental review processes for better project outcomes and more effective resource conservation. In addition, the IPaC decision support system is now capable of constructing all or significant portions of the documents required to complete review and approval processes. Michael Horton of IPaC Associates lead the creation of the Service’s IPaC system during its initial 10 years, guiding development of the system’s architecture and the processes it uses to streamline project development and approval.