Critical habitat

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA Fisheries designate critical habitat when they list a species as threatened or endangered. The designation is published with maps and applies to specific areas.

Why it matters

Critical habitat mainly constrains projects with a federal connection — a federal permit, such as a wetland fill permit, or federal funding — which trigger a consultation with the wildlife agency. It does not by itself stop a private owner using their land. A listed animal living on a parcel matters regardless of designation: the Endangered Species Act prohibits harming listed fish and wildlife whether or not the area is mapped. Listed plants are protected more narrowly — mainly on federal land, in federally connected projects, and under state law.