FWS is proposing regulations that would provide for Service review and approval of compensatory mitigation programs and projects intended to offset, or compensate for, unavoidable impacts to a species listed under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA), the habitat of such a species, a candidate for ESA listing, or a species otherwise at risk. FWS would establish effective standards and criteria that apply equally to all compensatory mitigation programs and projects. The proposed rule would advance the purposes of the ESA by promoting the effective, consistent, transparent, and predictable implementation of compensatory mitigation that is used to offset impacts to ESA-listed species or their habitats, candidates for listing, and at-risk species.