What are the impacts of critical habitat designation on private property?
The designation of critical habitat on privately owned land does not mean the government would like to acquire or control the land. Activities on private lands that do not require Federal permits or funding are not affected by a critical habitat designation. Critical habitat does not require landowners to carry out any special management actions or restrict the use of their land. Section 7 of the Act requires Federal agencies to consult with the Service on any activities they authorize, fund, or carry out which “may affect” a listed species, or “adversely modify” its designated critical habitat. If a landowner proposes to undertake a project on private land and they require a Federal permit or Federal funding, the Federal agency responsible for issuing the permit or funding would have to consult with the Service if the proposed action may affect the San Bernardino kangaroo rat or its designated critical habitat. Through this consultation process, the Service can ensure that a permitted
