U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

U S Fish and Wildlife Service

Sacramento Fish & Wildlife Office

Endangered Species

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Sacramento Fish & Wildlife Office

Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs)

A better way to help species

East Contra Costa HCP

Issuing permit for East Contra Costa HCP, July 25, 2007, FWS photo
Issuing permit for East Contra Costa HCP
July 25, 2007

The East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservation Plan is an example of a regional HCP.

Mt Diablo Helianthella, Charles Webber © California Academy of Sciences
Mt Diablo Helianthella
Charles Webber

Visit the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy website to get a better idea of how the HCP was developed.

The Conservancy's booklet (PDF 1.8MB) about the plan is an excellent introduction to regional HCPs.

Harming Listed Species

Endangered and threatened species often occur on non-Federal land. (Private, corporate, state, local or tribal) Otherwise-lawful activities on this land can harm protected species or their habitat. The Endangered Species Act (ESA) calls that harm take and prohibits it.

Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs)

HCPs are planning documents prepared by non-federal parties as part of an application for an incidental take permit. An HCP includes:

  1. An assessment of the likely impacts on protected species
  2. Measures that will be taken to monitor, minimize and mitigate for impacts
  3. An analysis of alternatives not chosen.

After the Service approves an HCP, we issue an incidental take permit. This allows the party to legally proceed with an activity that otherwise would result in unlawful take of a protected species.

Where to Start?

Contact the Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office, Conservation, Planning and Recovery Division to determine whether a contemplated activity is likely to require an incidental take permit and to begin the application process. (916) 414-6734 (Ask for the HCP coordinator)

More Information about the HCP Program

List of HCPs

Major HCPs from the Sacramento Fish & Wildlife Office

For a complete list of HCP throughout the country, visit the national Conservation Plans & Agreements Database.

Sacramento Fish & Wildlife Office
www.fws.gov/sacramento
2800 Cottage Way, Room W-2605
Sacramento, CA 95825
(916) 414-6600

Credits: Mt Diablo Helianthella, Charles Webber, ©1998 California Academy of Sciences. See CalPhotos page for information and larger version. Photo of permit issuing - FWS.