Habitat Conservation Plans | Learn More
![Photo of desert tortoise by](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017024008im_/http://www.fws.gov/endangered/media/bulletin-turtle.jpg)
Important habitat for the Mojave population of the desert tortoise is the focus of a Habitat Conservation Plan in southwestern Utah.
Photo credit: Corel Corp.
HCPs in Action
When carefully implemented, Habitat Conservation Plans allow resource managers and property owners to carry out their lawful activities while becoming partners in maintaining wildlife habitat. Below are several real world stories that exemplify how these plans have been effectively applied throughout the United States.
Indiana's First HCP Conserves Least Tern
Butterflies Benefit from Statewide HCP
Washington County's HCP: Four Years Later
Forest Lands HCP: A Case Study
Multi-Species HCPs: Experiments with the Ecosystem Approach
For more examples of HCPs in action, download the Working Together: Tools for Helping Imperiled Wildlife on Private Lands brochure. [1.8MB]
No Surprises
The FWS provides "No Surprises" assurances to non-Federal landowners through the Habitat Conservation Planning process. Essentially, State and private landowners are assured that if "unforeseen circumstances" arise, the FWS will not require the commitment of additional land, water, or financial compensation or additional restrictions on the use of land, water, or other natural resources beyond the level otherwise agreed to in the HCP without the consent of the permitholder. The government will honor these assurances as long as permitholders are implementing the terms and conditions of the HCPs, permits, and other associated documents in good faith. In effect, the government and permit-holders pledge to honor their conservation commitments.
View the rules and regulations.
Find answers to frequently asked questions.
Access relevant documents.
Scientific Study
In the summer of 1997, the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) and the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS) began an in-depth study that sought to measure the availability, use and analysis of scientific data in HCPs. The project involved a team of 106 graduate students and 13 faculty advisors from eight universities, and had representatives from all areas of conservation sciences. The team gathered data on 208 approved HCPs to obtain basic information on their contents and conducted a detailed analysis of a representative set of 43 HCPs as case studies, using questionnaires focused on both plans and species. The study did not attempt to judge the quality of HCPs but limited itself to an analysis of whether the data supporting HCPs were scientifically adequate. AIBS/NCEAS divided the analysis into five stages: species status; analysis of incidental take, biological impact of incidental take; mitigation (including avoidance, minimization, and mitigation measures); and monitoring.
Read the Service's response to this study.
Section 7(d) of the Endangered Species Act and HCPs
During the consultation process, Section 7(d) of the Endangered Species Act prohibits the action agency and any applicant from making irreversible or irretrievable commitments of resources with respect to the action under consideration that would have the effect of foreclosing possible alternatives to that action.
Read the memorandum and Attachment 1 issued to the Service regarding the application of this law to the Habitat Conservation Planning Process.
Species
What We Do
For Landowners
- Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs)
- Safe Harbor Agreements
- Candidate Conservation Agreements
- Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances
- Recovery Credits and Tax Deductions
- Conservation Banking
- Conservation Plans Database
- Information, Planning and Conservation System (IPaC)
- Recovery Online Activity Reporting System (ROAR)
Permits
Grants
News
- News Stories
- Featured Species
- Recovery Success Stories
- Endangered Species Bulletin
- Partnership Stories