Critical Habitat

Critical habitat is a term defined and used in the Endangered Species Act. It is a specific geographic area(s) that contains features essential for the conservation of a threatened or endangered species and that may require special management and protection.

Critical habitat may include an area that is not currently occupied by the species but that will be needed for its recovery. An area is designated as "critical habitat" after we publish a proposed Federal regulation in the Federal Register and then we receive and consider public comments on the proposal. For additional information, be sure and check out "Critical Habitat, What is it?"

The final boundaries of the critical habitat area are also published in the Federal Register.

Project developers seeking precise geospatial data, visit our Critical Habitat Data page or check out the national Critical Habitat Mapper.