Question #2 (10 points): Individual Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs), Safe Harb
ID: 293309 • Letter: Q
Question
Question #2 (10 points): Individual Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs), Safe Harbor Agreements (group HCP's) and Natural Communities Conservation Plans (regional NCCPs) have created a great deal of controversy. Why? Do you think HCP's in general are a good or bad idea? Why? Consider that for candidate species, listing is sometimes delayed if state and local agencies demonstrate that adaptive management practices are in place to improve the chances of survival and recovery for species. If HCP's, Safe Harbor Agreements and NCCPs are going to persist whether you like them or not, how can they be strengthened to best accomplish the goal of preserving biodiversity?Explanation / Answer
Individual Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs), Safe Harbor Agreements (group HCP's) and Natural Communities Conservation Plans (regional NCCPs) are a part of many controversies because despite signing agreements dedicated to the protection of endangered species, the biodiversity and flora and fauna, these Plans have a "No surprise" system where in the developers have to pay no additional funds if the original conservation plans proves inadequate. Therefore I think such plans are not a good idea in cases because such plans are prepared by local governmental consultants who do not have extensive scientific knowledge and are sometimes ill-equipped with the data they receive especially in the case of HCP, which till date, hasn't a single agreement which has been scientifically peer reviewed and are a result of direct contract between the government and permit applicants. The applicants do not understand the implications and disruptions that the deal or agreement can cause to the endangered species and the ecosystem as a whole.
In cases where listing is delayed by state and local agencies, then rigid rules and regulations should be made to conserve them at all cost no matter what with stringent agreements that should be agreed by the HCPs, Safe Harbor Agreements as well as NCCPs. The permit plan should contain a clause stating that any endangered species at any given time should be offered protection and not a stipulated time limit thus eliminating the 'No Surprise" system since nature is all about surprises. Also regular checks by environmentalists can ensure such plans are being appropriately followed for the protection of the biodiversity. Another crucial approach is the involvement of the scientific community while drafting out and signing any agreements to ascertain that nature is preserved for the future.