What is an HCP?
A Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) integrates economic development and natural resource use with the long-term preservation of rare species. The Endangered Species Act prohibits the harm (also called "take") of threatened and endangered (T&E) species or their habitat. Through an Incidental Take Permit, an HCP becomes a partnership between a resource user and the Fish & Wildlife Service that allows resources to be used and the take to occur as long as the species impacts of the take are mitigated and minimized through an approved habitat conservation plan. Habitat Conservation Planning was approved by Congress to foster proactive and voluntary strategies to address both the use and conservation of resources associated with T&E species on non-federal lands. Examples of HCP holders include private landowners, government municipalities, state agencies, corporations, and non-profit organizations.

USFWS HCP Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits to communities and conservationists?
One of the primary benefits resulting from Habitat Conservation Planning is the development and implementation of activities to conserve endangered and/or threatened species in local communities where people live and work.

Habitat Conservation Planning involves working with multiple and diverse interests found in communities in a proactive way that integrates the use and conservation of natural resources associated with endangered and threatened species. In Habitat Conservation Planning the focus is to work toward multiple community values in a collaborative process rather than becoming stuck in adversarial conflict.

What are the tangible benefits to private interests and landowners?
Some of the reasons given by other landowners and private interests who have chosen to participate in the development of HCPs include:

1. The HCP process ensures that landowners and/or other private interests are able to proceed with agreed upon resource uses, as long as conservation measures to mitigate and minimize resource use impacts on endangered species, and/or their habitats, are simultaneously undertaken.

2. The applicant is provided regulatory assurances that if “unforeseen circumstances” arise, there will be no requirement to commit additional land, water, or financial compensation beyond the original HCP agreement. Such long term planning assurances can be vital to financial and development interests that have or may be investing significant financial resources in a project.

3. Private landowners and other private interests have more control over finding positive solutions to endangered species protection issues, and in some cases environmental permitting is streamlined.