US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances are a tool for non-Federal private landowners who voluntarily take measures to stabilize and restore populations of rare or candidate species before they are listed under the Endangered Species Act. Landowners participate in identifying threats to these species, by taking part in conservation activities specific to the species, and by improving and maintaining critical habitat.
This formal agreement between the landowner and US Fish and Wildlife Service guarantees that if the CCAA if fulfilled, the landowner will not be required to undertake any additional or different management activities while the CCAA contract is active if the species is listed under the Endangered Species Act in the future.
Additionally, if the species does become listed in the future, the CCAA automatically provides an Enhancement of Survival Permit for the landowner. It authorizes “incidental take” of species that may result from landowner’s actions under the CCAA agreement.
The CCAA can be renewed at the end of the CCAA term as long as the landowner and USFWS are in agreement. If the contract is not renewed, the regulatory assurances and permitted take expires with the permit.
Law governing candidate conservation agreements can be found at http://www.fws.gov/endangered/laws-policies/policy-ccaa.html
Getting Started:
- Contact your local USFWS Ecological Services field office to discuss development of a Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances
