FWS HQ ES Critical Habitat

When a species is proposed for listing as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must consider whether there are areas of habitat believed to be essential the species’ conservation. Those areas may be proposed for designation as “critical habitat.” Critical habitat is a term defined and used in the Act. It is a specific geographic area(s) that contains features essential for the conservation of a threatened or endangered species and that may require special management and protection. Critical habitat may include an area that is not currently occupied by the species but that will be needed for its recovery. An area is designated as “critical habitat” after the Service publishes a proposed Federal regulation in the Federal Register and receives and considers public comments on the proposal. The final boundaries of the critical habitat are also published in the Federal Register. Critical habitat are areas considered essential for the conservation of a listed species. Federal agencies are required to consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on actions they carry out, fund, or authorize to ensure that their actions will not destroy or adversely modify critical habitat. These areas provide notice to the public and land managers of the importance of these areas to the conservation of a listed species. Special protections and/or restrictions are possible in areas where Federal funding, permits, licenses, authorizations, or actions occur or are required.当某一物种依据《濒危物种法》（Endangered Species Act）被提议列入濒危或受威胁物种名录时，美国鱼类及野生动物管理局（U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service）必须考量是否存在被认定对该物种保护至关重要的栖息地区域。此类区域可被提议指定为“关键栖息地（critical habitat）”。“关键栖息地”是该法案中明确定义并使用的术语，指包含受威胁或濒危物种保护所需核心特征的特定地理区域，且该区域可能需要特殊的管理与保护措施。关键栖息地可包含当前未被该物种占据，但为其种群恢复所需的区域。管理局需先在《联邦公报》（Federal Register）上发布联邦法规提案，接收并审议公众对该提案的意见，之后方可将某一区域指定为关键栖息地。关键栖息地的最终范围同样会在《联邦公报》上公布。关键栖息地是被认定为受保护物种保护工作不可或缺的区域。联邦机构在开展、资助或批准相关行动前，必须与美国鱼类及野生动物管理局进行磋商，以确保其行动不会破坏或对关键栖息地造成不利改变。此类区域可向公众与土地管理者传达其对于受保护物种保护工作的重要性。若某区域涉及联邦资助、许可证、授权许可或联邦行动，或需开展此类活动，则可对该区域实施特殊保护措施及/或限制条款。