A specific geographic area(s) that contains features essential for the conservation of a threatened or endangered species and that may require special management and protection.
When a species is proposed for listing as endangered or threatened under
 the Endangered Species Act, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must 
consider whether there are areas of habitat believed to be essential the
 species’ conservation. Those areas may be proposed for designation as 
“critical habitat.” Critical habitat is a term defined and used in the 
Act. It is a specific geographic area(s) that contains features 
essential for the conservation of a threatened or endangered species and
 that may require special management and protection. Critical habitat 
may include an area that is not currently occupied by the species but 
that will be needed for its recovery. An area is designated as “critical
 habitat” after the Service publishes a proposed Federal regulation in 
the Federal Register and receives and considers public comments on the 
proposal. The final boundaries of the critical habitat are also 
published in the Federal Register. Critical habitat are areas considered
 essential for the conservation of a listed species. Federal agencies 
are required to consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on 
actions they carry out, fund, or authorize to ensure that their actions 
will not destroy or adversely modify critical habitat. These areas 
provide notice to the public and land managers of the importance of 
these areas to the conservation of a listed species. Special protections
 and/or restrictions are possible in areas where Federal funding, 
permits, licenses, authorizations, or actions occur or are required.
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