Before adoption these areas must include a review that is open to public input from all stakeholders within specific time frames.
A critical habitat designation does not set up a preserve or refuge; it applies only when Federal funding, permits, or projects are involved.
Under Section 7 of the ESA, all Federal agencies must ensure that any actions they authorize, fund, or carry out are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of a listed species, or destroy or adversely modify its designated critical habitat.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service share the responsibility for designating and implementing critical habitat for listed species.
In addition to these concerns the process of finding an area to designate as critical habitat, scientific, biological and economic data is needed.
[4] Critical habitat requirements do not apply to citizens engaged in activities on private land that do not involve a Federal agency.