Planning for Wildlife Habitat

The Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) was created under the 1996 Farm Bill to provide cost-share money to landowners who improve wildlife habitat. State environmental agencies make judgments about protecting wildlife habitat in administering wetlands permits as part of the Clean Water Act. Ducks Unlimited, Trout Unlimited, the Izaak Walton League, and rod and gun clubs, among other sportsmen&s;s organizations, have a strong interest in protecting wildlife habitat, primarily watersheds, wetlands, stream banks, and forests. The purposes of a local wildlife action strategy are to minimize conflicts between humans and wildlife and to protect a critical mass of core habitat and migration corridors. Especially in the subdivision process, there may be room for negotiation and agreements about siting buildings and open space buffers to protect wildlife habitat. The planning commission should assess the cumulative impact of the proposed development, together with existing development, on wildlife habitats.