What is the process for permission to develop in sensitive habitat areas?
Private landowners, corporations, state or local governments, or other non-federal entities who wish to conduct activities on land that might harm or “take” wildlife that are listed as endangered or threatened must first obtain a permit from one or more Wildlife Agencies (the California Department of Fish and Game, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and/or the National Marine Fisheries Service). The Santa Clara Valley habitat plan will ensure there is adequate mitigation for the effects of authorized incidental take while providing State and federal endangered species permit applicants’ long-term assurances of regulatory compliance with State and/or federal requirements. State and federal approval of the HCP/NCCP will result in transferring issuance of project specific permits for impacts on endangered and threatened species to the local agencies.
