This is a joint U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries or NMFS) handbook. Some material, such as the complete list of endangered plants and animals, is not available in this online version. The full version of the handbook is available from the Endangered Species Program, Washington D.C. Questions on the contents of the handbook should be directed to the Fish and Wildlife Service Regional Office nearest you.

Page numbers in this electronic version may not match the printed version due to formatting requirements.

The handbook has been augmented with an addendum, which was released in its final form on June 01, 2000.

(Please note: To view PDF documents, you may need to download and install the Adobe Acrobat Reader, free from Adobe, Inc.)

• Cover Page, Table of Contents, Preface
• Chapter 1 The ESA and incidental take permits
• Chapter 2 Overview of FWS and NMFS roles
• Chapter 3 Pre-application coordination and HCP development
• Chapters 4 & 5 Treatment of unlisted species / environmental analysis and documentation
• Chapter 6 Application requirements and processing procedure
• Chapters 7 & 8 Issuance criteria for incidental take permits / definitions
• Appendix 1 (not currently available on-line)
• Appendix 2 Reference list of publications on HCPs and Conservation Biology
• Appendix 3 Example of an HCP Memorandum of Understanding
• Appendix 4 “Template” implementing agreeement
• Appendix 5 FWS guidance on addressing migratory birds and eagles
• Appendix 6 FWS guidance on integrating HCPs with National Wildlife Refuges
• Appendix 7 Safe Harbor policy
• Appendix 8 Example of an integrated HCP/EA
• Appendix 9 (incomplete)
• Appendix 10 General permit conditions (from CFR)
• Appendix 11 Endangered and threatened species permit conditions (from CFR)
• Appendix 12 FWS and NMFS regional offices
• Appendix 13 (not currently available on-line)
• Appendix 14 (not currently available on-line)
• Appendix 15 FWS Federal fish and wildlife permit
• Appendix 16 Examples of received application and NEPA document availability notices from the Federal Register
• Appendix 17 Examples of issued incidental take permits
• Appendix 18 “Template” Federal Register notice of permit issuance