Does a Habitat Conservation Plan really provide for protection of these species?

Yes. Habitat conservation plans benefit threatened and endangered species because they provide an incentive for landowners to integrate conservation measures into the day-to-day management of their lands, while allowing for some impacts to the species. In short, in order for Benton County to proceed with its current management and permitting activity under an incidental take permit, the County must provide a long-term commitment to species conservation through the development of a Habitat Conservation Plan. Without those commitments the County could not perform any of its activities that would impact the species.