Landowners

Voluntary Category

To determine if you are in the “voluntary category” ask yourself the following questions:

• Am I a forest landowner with less than 1000 acres? If yes, you are in the "voluntary category."
• Am I a non-commercial forest landowner with greater than 1000 acres of land where the land is not primarily managed for the purpose of forestry (e.g., managed for recreation, as camps, or Lake Associations)? If yes, you are in the "voluntary category."
• Am I an agricultural landowner? If yes, you are in the "voluntary category."
• Am I a private property owner planning an insecticide spray to control a forest pest? If yes, you are in the "voluntary category."
• Am I a local government or landowner association organizing an aerial spray of a forest pest? If yes, you are in the "voluntary category."

Non-Voluntary Landowner Category (Regulated Landowners)

The following groups are not considered part of the “voluntary category” and are not authorized to spray:

• Railroads
• Municipal, Cooperative or private utility or energy company
• Commercial Forests of > 1000 acres (including county forests)
• Road or Highway departments
• Land developers
• HCP Partners

Your Responsibilities

This simple questionnaire will help you determine your requirements and opportunities for Karner blue conservation.

For definitions of terms and concepts, see the Habitat Conservation Plan Questions and Answers fact sheet [PDF, 155KB].

For assistance with voluntary habitat restoration on private lands, visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program [exit DNR].

Step 1 - Determine Permit Need

Do I need to apply for incidental take permit coverage, or am I automatically covered?

1. Do you have Karner blue butterfly habitat on your land? Check our fact sheets on Karner blue ecology [PDF, 100KB] and the Karner blue range [PDF, 67KB] to make sure.
   - If no, no further action is required.
   - If yes, go to question 2.
2. Does your land management involve
   
   A) Right-of-way or corridor development or maintenance,
   B) Forestry on more than 1,000 acres, or
   C) Permanent take of Karner blue habitat?

   Permanent take activities include but are not limited to construction of roadways, parking lots, buildings, residential subdivisions and condominiums, or other developments that preclude Karner blue butterfly occupation for a minimum of five years. Construction of homes and associated structures used by the owner are exempted.

   If no, you are automatically covered and may participate in Karner blue conservation voluntarily. Check with the HCP Coordinator (608-261-6451) if you are unsure how the HCP defines your land management activity.
   
   If yes to A, B or C, you must apply for incidental take permit coverage. Failure to do so may result in a violation of the U.S. Endangered Species Act. To learn more about receiving incidental take permit coverage through the statewide HCP, go to Step 2.

Step 2 - Determine Participation Status

If I choose to apply for incidental take permit coverage under the statewide HCP, which application process best fits my needs?

1. Which of the following three categories best describe your land management activities:
   
   

   A) Ongoing harvest and regrowth of timber resulting in incidental and possibly permanent take (e.g., commercial forestry)
   B) One-time development or construction resulting in permanent take (e.g., subdivision construction)
   C) Right-of-way and/or corridor maintenance and construction (e.g., utility, railroad, and highway rights-of-way management)

   If A, you should apply for Full Partner Status. This status requires the broadest participation and affords the broadest coverage. Contact the HCP Coordinator for application procedures (608-261-6451).

   If B, you should apply as a One-Time Subpermittee. This non-partner status requires compensatory mitigation. Contact the HCP Coordinator for application procedures (608-261-6451).

   If C, go to question 2.

2. As a right-of-way or corridor manager, will your activities result in ongoing incidental take (e.g., maintenance) AND possible permanent take (resulting from construction)?

   If yes, you should apply for Partner Status. Contact the HCP Coordinator for application procedures (608-261-6451).

   If no, go to question 3.

3. As a right-of-way or corridor manager, what will your activities include?
   
   

   A) Ongoing incidental take only (e.g., maintenance), or
   B) Permanent take only (e.g., construction)

   If A, you should apply for Limited Partner Status. This requires a simple inclusion process and compliance with best management practices. Contact the HCP Coordinator for application procedures (608-261-6451).

   If B, you should apply as a One-Time Subpermittee. This non-partner status requires compensatory mitigation. Contact the HCP Coordinator for application procedures (608-261-6451).