What happens if my private property is designated critical habitat for the bay checkerspot butterfly?
A. The designation of critical habitat on privately-owned land does not mean the government wants 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. However, the Act prohibits any individual from engaging in unauthorized activities that will actually harm listed wildlife. If a landowner needs a federal permit or receives federal funding for a specific activity, the agency responsible for issuing the permit or providing the funds would consult with us to determine how the action may affect the bay checkerspot butterfly or its designated critical habitat. The Service will work with the federal agency and the private landowner to modify the project to minimize the impacts.
