Partners in lesser prairie-chicken conservation

For over two decades, the Service has partnered with our federal, state and private partners to facilitate the conservation of the lesser prairie-chicken and its habitat. These partnerships have resulted in millions of acres of land being voluntarily enrolled over the past two decades to implement various conservation measures across the lesser prairie-chicken’s range. Together we have made great strides conserving key lesser prairie-chicken habitat.

For those enrolled in these plans, they have regulatory certainty should the lesser prairie-chicken become listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

Current Conservation Efforts Benefitting the Lesser Prairie-Chicken

Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCAA) for oil and gas

Area covered: Portions of Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas

How it works: Oil and gas companies may voluntarily enroll in the CCAA. Enrolled companies implement measures intended to minimize effects on the lesser prairie-chicken. Enrolled companies also agree to pay fees to mitigate for new impacts on enrolled properties. Enrolled participants who continue to implement their conservation actions will not be required to implement additional measures if the lesser prairie-chicken is listed under the ESA.

Enrollment: As of 2021, the CCAA had 111 active industry participants who have enrolled 6,226,140 acres. There are 15 conservation properties enrolled with approximately 49,700 unimpacted acres of habitat for conservation to offset impacts.

Enrollment is closed to new industry participation effective March of 2019, for industry participants who are already enrolled they can add additional acreage until an effective listing date.

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USDA Farm Service Agency - Conservation Reserve Program

Area Covered: Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas

How it works: The CRP is a voluntary program that allows eligible landowners to receive annual rental payments and cost-share assistance in exchange for removing cropland and certain marginal pastureland from agricultural production. CRP participants establish vegetative cover and then maintain and manage that cover for the term of the contract. CRP contract terms are for 10 to 15 years. CRP enrollment fluctuates over time as contracts expire and new land is enrolled.

Enrollment: There is approximately 1. 8 million acres enrolled in CRP across the range of the lesser prairie-chicken.

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Center of Excellence – New Mexico Candidate Conservation Agreements for the lesser prairie-chicken and dunes sagebrush lizard

Area covered: Portions of eastern New Mexico

How it works: Oil and gas companies may voluntarily enroll in the CCA/CCAA. Enrolled companies implement measures intended to minimize effects on the lesser prairie-chicken. Enrolled companies also agree to pay fees to mitigate for new impacts on enrolled properties. Landowners may also voluntarily enroll in the CCA/CCAA and implement conservation measures on their lands to benefit the lesser prairie-chicken. Enrolled participants will not be required to implement additional measures if the lesser prairie-chicken is listed under the ESA.

Enrollment: Since the CCA and CCAA were finalized in 2008, 43 oil and gas companies have enrolled a total of 1,964,163 acre in the historical range of the LEPC. In addition, 72 ranchers in New Mexico and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish have enrolled a total of 2,055,461 acres. The New Mexico State Land Office has enrolled a total of 406,673 acres in the historical range of the LEPC.

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Texas Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCAA)

Area covered: Portions of Texas

How it works: Landowners may voluntarily enroll in the CCAA and implement conservation measures on their lands to benefit the lesser prairie-chicken. Enrolled participants will not be required to implement additional measures if the lesser prairie-chicken were to be listed under the ESA.

Enrollment: Total landowner participation by the close of January 2020 is 91 properties totaling approximately 657,038 acres enrolled in 15 counties.

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Oklahoma Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCAA)

Area covered: Portions of Oklahoma

How it works: Landowners may voluntarily enroll in the CCAA and implement conservation measures on their lands to benefit the lesser prairie-chicken. Enrolled participants will not be required to implement additional measures if the lesser prairie-chicken were to be listed under the ESA.

Enrollment: There are a total of 399,225 acres enrolled in the ODWC CCAA, with 357,654 acres enrolled as conservation acres.

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USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Working Lands for Wildlife Framework

Area covered: Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas

How it works: Landowners may choose to voluntarily implement selected NRCS conservation practices standards and enhancements to benefit the lesser prairie-chicken. These conservation practice standards and enhancements are applied by NRCS when providing technical and financial assistance to eligible landowners using its Farm Bill authorities and in a way that is consistent with the Working Lands for Wildlife Framework, including the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Initiative and the Great Plains Grasslands Biome; A Framework for Conservation Action.

Enrollment: Since 2010 NRCS worked with 883 private agricultural producers to implement conservation practices on 1.6 million ac (647,497 ha) of working lands within the historical range of the lesser prairie-chicken

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LPC Conservation LLC Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) for Oil and Gas Development

Area covered: Portions Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas

How it works: The HCP covers oil and gas development across the lesser prairie-chicken’s ranges. LPC Conservation LLC’s HCP will fully offset impacts from enrolled projects while providing regulatory certainty for oil and gas development across its range, should the lesser prairie-chicken become listed under the ESA in the future.

Enrollment: As of November 2022, there is no current enrollment in this HCP.

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LPC Conservation LLC Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) for Renewable Energy Development

Area covered: Portions of Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas

How it works: The HCP covers wind and solar project development as well as transmission lines across the lesser prairie-chicken’s range. LPC Conservation, LLC’s HCP will fully offset impacts from enrolled projects while providing regulatory certainty for the development of renewable energy across its range, should the lesser prairie-chicken become listed under the ESA in the future.

Enrollment: As of November 2022, there is no current enrollment in this HCP.

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