Habitat Conservation Plans
Habitat Conservation Plans are legally binding agreements between the Secretary of the Interior and either a private entity or a state that specifies conservation measures that will be implemented in exchange for a permit that would allow the incidental take of a threatened or endangered species. The Endangered Species Act mandates protection of threatened and endangered species and their habitat on federal and private land by prohibiting "take" of listed species through direct harm to individuals or habitat destruction. In the 1982 amendments to the Endangered Species Act, Congress established a mechanism authorizing the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service to issue to non-federal entities a permit for the "incidental take" of endangered and threatened wildlife species. This permit allows a non-Federal landowner to proceed with an activity that is legal in all other respects, but that results in the "incidental" taking of a listed species. Under this amendment, private landowners negatively affecting federally listed species are required to design and implement a plan that will minimize and mitigate harm to the impacted species during the proposed project. That plan is a Habitat Conservation Plan. Go here for detailed information about the HCP process and contents of an HCP.
HCPs in Development
Michigan Karner Blue Butterfly Habitat Conservation Plan
- Michigan DNR Draft Karner Blue Butterfly HCP and Environmental Assessment: a public comment period opened on January 25, 2008 and closed on March 25, 2008.
- Notice of Availablity and Request for Comments on the Draft HCP and Draft Environmental Assessment for Michigan DNR's application for a Karner Blue Butterfly Incidental Take Permit (Federal Register Notice: 24 January 2008)
- Draft Karner Blue Butterfly Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP)
- Draft Environmental Assessment of the Karner Blue Butterfly Habitat Conservation Plan
- Michigan DNR and Partner's Karner Blue Butterfly HCP website
Mitchell's Satyr
NiSource
Completed HCPs
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service