Critical Habitat

Defining habitat to promote conservation under the ESA

The Supreme Court’s opinion in Weyerhaeuser Co. v. United States Fish and Wildlife Service, 139 S. Ct. 361 (2018), raises important questions about the scope of the Endangered Species Act's protections for critical habitat. In a short ruling, the …

Limited patterns among ESA 4(b)(2) critical habitat exclusions

Areas can be excluded from critical habitat (CH) designations for economic, national security, or other relevant reasons under 4(b)(2) of the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA). We are aware of no analyses that quantify the rates or patterns of use. …

A definition of 'habitat' under the ESA

The Supreme Court’s opinion in Weyerhaeuser Co. v. United States Fish and Wildlife Service, 139 S. Ct. 361 (2018), raises important questions about the scope of the Endangered Species Act's protections for critical habitat. In a short ruling, the …