Habitat Conservation Planning
- Strategic Goals
- Publications
- Connectivity
- Endowments
- Environmental Review & Permitting
- Conservation Planning
- Invasive Species
- Rare Plant Program
Habitat
Conservation Planning Branch
Department of Fish and Game
1416 Ninth Street, 12th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
Related Resources
Habitat Conservation Planning
![Egret Habitat](images/egret_habitat_home.jpg)
The mission of DFG's Habitat Conservation Planning Branch is to provide for the conservation, protection, restoration, and management of fish, wildlife, and native plants and to preserve and restore the ecosystems (including ecological processes) on which they depend for use and enjoyment by the public.
Habitat Conservation Programs
California Endangered Species Act Permitting
(CESA)
The California Endangered Species Act (CESA) allows the Department
to authorize project proponents to take state- listed threatened, endangered,
or candidate species if certain conditions are met. The permitting
program administers the incidental take provisions of CESA to ensure
regulatory compliance and statewide consistency.
California Environmental Quality Act Review
(CEQA)
The Department consults with lead and responsible agencies and provides
the requisite biological expertise to review and comment upon environmental
documents and impacts arising from project activities under the California
Environmental Quality Act.
Lake and Steambed Alteration Program (LSA)
The Lake and Streambed Alteration Program determines whether an agreement
is needed for an activity that will substantually modify a river,
steam or lake. If DFG determines that the activity may substantially
adversely affect fish and wildlife resources, a Lake or Streambed
Alteration Agreement will be prepared. The Agreement includes reasonable
conditions necessary to protect those resources and must comply with
the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Timberland Conservation Program
Timber harvesting in California is regulated by multiple state agencies
to ensure timber harvesting impacts on the environment are addressed.
The Department reviews Timber Harvest Plans and may issue permits
for road construction across streams and incidental take permits
where endangered species may be impacted.
Natural Community Conservation Planning
(NCCP)
The Natural Community Conservation Planning Program is a cooperative
effort designed to protect species and their habitats through an ecosystem
approach. The program helps identify and provide for large area-wide
protection of plants, animals, and their habitats while allowing for
compatible and appropriate economic activity.
Conservation and Mitigation
Banking
Mitigation banking in California is overseen and undertaken by several
Federal and State Agencies. The Banking Program coordinates with other
agencies and develops statewide policy and guidance for the establishment
and operation of conservation and mitigation banks.
Invasive Species
The Invasive Species Program participates on efforts to prevent the
introduction of non-native invasive species in California, detect
and respond to introductions when they occur, and prevent the spread
of non-native invasive species that have become established.
Rare Plant Program
The Rare Plant Program coordinates conservation activities for the
State’s listed plants, including listing and plant collecting
and research.