Creating a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) is no small feat, and its success hinges on the collaboration of a broad range of interested parties, attention to detail, and commitment to an organized, clear process. Consero Solutions provides ten essential strategies for navigating the complex process of HCP planning based on our professional experience, including completing the Yolo County Habitat Conservation Plan and Natural Community Conservation Plan.
What is a Habitat Conservation Plan?
A Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) transfers authority under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to a local agency to permit specified infrastructure, housing, and other economic development projects. This local control over the permitting process reduces the time needed for a project proponent to secure permits and increases local oversight and accountability. In return for this permitting authority, the local agency must purchase, restore, and manage land for species impacted by the permitted activities.
Build local and wildlife agency champions. Successful HCPs typically have both local and wildlife agency champions. Local champions include community leaders, either influential individuals or important non-profit organizations, local government staff, local elected officials, and Tribal leaders. A local champion must have the ability to help negotiate tough issues with high-level state and federal government officials if needed, as well as resolve issues that may arise with other local government bodies. Wildlife agency champions are staff who are personally and professionally committed to completing the plan.
Develop a governance structure and a decision framework. Decide on the local governance structure needed for successful approval of the plan, including all local jurisdictions and Tribes important to the process. Create the governing documents to support the structure before you start the planning process, such as bylaws, financial policies and procedures, and especially internal controls. Develop a decision framework which clearly outlines how involved parties will make decisions during the planning process.
Develop an engagement strategy. Building and maintaining champions depends on regular engagement. Assume wildlife agency staff, local decision-makers, and other people important to development of the process will need regular updates, turnover may occur, or people will simply forget relevant details. Plan for this work through development of an engagement strategy with an associated budget at the start of the process, including field trips, briefing materials, and regular public updates. Brief elected officials, Tribal representatives, and other interested parties early and often. Organize field trips early in the process to build on-the ground understanding of the issues.
Secure high-level approval of an elevation process. Develop a written process with the wildlife agencies to elevate decisions on which staff working day to day on the plan cannot agree so it is easier to resolve tough issues. High-level officials in all agencies should formally approve the elevation process before the plan starts.
Develop a realistic budget and schedule. HCPs often take longer than anticipated and encounter obstacles which are time-consuming and expensive to overcome. Develop an initial scope of work which is conservative and assumes the process will take longer than anticipated. Include significant funding for engagement, grant writing, training, field trips, and other work necessary to build trusting, productive relationships and ensure financial sustainability.
Develop a funding strategy. Develop a multi-year strategy to fund the planning process, including grant opportunities and local funding needed for work which grants will not fund. Secure written commitments for local funding before applying for grants.
Secure written assurances from wildlife agencies to prioritize the plan. If your plan is not a priority for the state and federal agencies, the plan may not move forward and/or it will cost more than anticipated. Evaluate whether to undertake a plan if the wildlife agencies responsible for approval do not have the resources to engage.
Hire an independent project manager. Hire a professional project manager who can help develop realistic budgets and timelines, review invoices, help hold consultants and wildlife agencies accountable for deliverables, and resolve issues as they arise.
Record decisions and track actions. Every time you meet with the wildlife agencies, write detailed meeting notes which document actions and decisions. Ask the wildlife agencies to approve the meeting summaries within a specified timeframe. Track actions using project management software or even a simple Excel spreadsheet so everyone understands tasks and deadlines.
Provide rigorous financial oversight. The governing organization should not only develop financial policies and procedures, but implement them. This could include regular financial reports to governing boards, audits, and progress reports showing percentage of budget spent relative to percentage of plan complete. Do not be afraid of honesty; catching issues early is an essential part of a successful planning process.
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