Difference between revisions of "Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs)"
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'''HCP Development''' <ref name= Pre-application coordination and HCP Development > [http://www.fws.gov/endangered/esa-library/pdf/HCPBK3.PDF] </ref> | '''HCP Development''' <ref name= Pre-application coordination and HCP Development > [http://www.fws.gov/endangered/esa-library/pdf/HCPBK3.PDF] </ref> | ||
| − | The first step is determining who will be holding the permit. States, local governments, corporations, and businesses are allowed to apply for incidental take permits. The permittee will be responsible for overseeing the HCP | + | The first step is determining who will be holding the permit. States, local governments, corporations, and businesses are allowed to apply for incidental take permits. The permittee will be responsible for overseeing the HCP implementation. This part of the process is relatively straightforward. The applicant will then establish a steering committee that represents the affected interest and will serve in an advisory role in the development of the HCP. It is recommended that applicants invite the Services as technical advisers on steering committees. The next step is to list which species will be protected by the HCP. Generally, numerous species are listed in the HCP, including non-listed species, because it can protect the applicant from delays in the future. However, this will result in a complicated HCP that will take time to develop. |
Under section 10 (a)(2)(A), the conservation plan must include the following information: | Under section 10 (a)(2)(A), the conservation plan must include the following information: | ||
Revision as of 13:04, 5 April 2016
Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs) are required planning documents for entities interested in applying for incidental take permits. HCPs fall under the umbrella of the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) that protects threatened and endangered species throughout the nation. The aim of HCPs is to set allow economic growth with compromising long-term species survival. There have been more than 430 HCPs approved with many more in the planning stage [1].
Contents
HCP Requirements
Under section 10 of the ESA, a HCP must meet six requirements before any ITP can be issued. [2] The six requirements are:
- All take must be incidental
- Impacts will be mitigated and minimized as much as possible
- Adequate funding to address unexpected problems
- Take must not reduce the likelihood of survival and recovery of species
- Applicant must ensure other Federal regulations will also be implemented
- Federal regulators must be certain HCP can and will be implemented
HCP Process
HCPs are split up into three phases: HCP Development, Formal Permit Processing and Post-issuance.
HCP Development [3]
The first step is determining who will be holding the permit. States, local governments, corporations, and businesses are allowed to apply for incidental take permits. The permittee will be responsible for overseeing the HCP implementation. This part of the process is relatively straightforward. The applicant will then establish a steering committee that represents the affected interest and will serve in an advisory role in the development of the HCP. It is recommended that applicants invite the Services as technical advisers on steering committees. The next step is to list which species will be protected by the HCP. Generally, numerous species are listed in the HCP, including non-listed species, because it can protect the applicant from delays in the future. However, this will result in a complicated HCP that will take time to develop.
Under section 10 (a)(2)(A), the conservation plan must include the following information:
- Impacts from the result of the proposed taking of species
- Measures to monitor, minimize, and mitigate the impacts; funding for these measures and contingency plans for unforeseen complications
- Alternatives actions that would not have resulted in take of species and why those actions were not pursued
- Additional measures the Service may require as necessary
To determine the likely effects of the project the applicant must also delineate the HCP boundary, collect and synthesize biological data for listed species in the HCP, list the activities within the boundary that will result in take, and quantify take levels. The last step is to develop a mitigation plan. This plan is completely up to applicants and Service personal and can vary between projects.
Formal Permit Processing
List of all HCPs in the Central Coast Region[4]
- Fort Ord Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP)
- Marina Peninsula Trail and Rehabilitation Project Site
- Seascape Uplands
- Santa Cruz Gardens Unit 12
- Blake Lake
References
Disclaimer
This page may contain student work completed as part of assigned coursework. It may not be accurate. It does not necessary reflect the opinion or policy of CSUMB, its staff, or students.
