Defining Critical Habitats
Overview of Federal Law and Policy
The preservation of ecosystems is one of the express purposes of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and all Federal agencies must use their authorities to conserve species and the ecosystems upon which they depend. The ESA protects habitat in many ways, including the definition of prohibited “take” of listed species; the purchase of lands; cooperative programs with States; consultation on Federal actions or private actions with a Federal nexus; and issuance of incidental take permits based, in part, on habitat protection. The Act also requires the designation of “critical habitat,” which is defined as occupied areas with features that are…
