What are the benefits of the Habitat Plan?
For landowners wishing to develop land, the Habitat Plan streamlines the permitting process by pre-identifying mitigation obligations for impacts on species habitat, including aquatic land covers (e.g., wetlands and streams), and providing a process to meet mitigation obligations. In this manner, the Habitat Plan allows landowners seeking endangered species permits to pursue their projects with increased certainty of project timelines and associated costs.

For developers, the Habitat Plan offers a streamlined permitting process for planned development, infrastructure, and maintenance activities. Applications for endangered species permits can occur in tandem with other building permits because the Habitat Plan allows local agencies—specifically, the County and the Cities of Gilroy, Morgan Hill, and San José—to grant endangered species permits to projects and activities under their jurisdictions.

Importantly, the Habitat Plan benefits the environment by protecting, enhancing, and restoring natural resources in specific areas of Santa Clara County and contributing to the recovery of threatened and endangered species. Instead of evaluating and permitting projects and activities individually, which can result in piecemeal and disjointed conservation efforts, the Habitat Plan enables evaluation of natural resource impacts and mitigation requirements comprehensively. This method is more efficient and effective for at-risk species and their habitats. At full plan implementation, the Reserve System will protect an estimated 46,920 acres for the benefit of covered species, natural communities, biological diversity, and ecosystem function.

Show All Answers

1. What is the Santa Clara Valley Habitat Plan (Habitat Plan)?
2. Who developed the Habitat Plan? When was it approved?
3. What is a habitat conservation plan (HCP)?
4. What is a natural community conservation plan (NCCP)?
5. Why develop a joint HCP/NCCP?
6. What is "take"?
7. What are the benefits of the Habitat Plan?
8. What projects and activities are covered by the Habitat Plan?
9. What projects and activities are not covered by the Habitat Plan?
10. How long is the Habitat Plan in effect?
11. What are the boundaries of the Habitat Plan? How are the boundaries determined?
12. What does the Habitat Plan not do?
13. Who is responsible for overseeing implementation of the Habitat Plan?