Partnerships with local government are powerful. The key advantage of an NCCP over the ESA alone is that local government is an active partner. The application of local land use authority allows accomplishments that state or federal agencies could not manage alone. For example, wildlife movement corridors through habitat unoccupied by a listed species can be protected. Also, implementation tools are much more effective when local government steps in.
Assurances are part of the equation.
Habitat based assurances, where no additional mitigation is required for subsequently listed species if these are dependent upon habitats predetermined to be sufficiently conserved, exceeds prudent bounds. There is spill over into better planning in general. The NCCP programs have allowed local governments to understand the many benefits of natural open space to their communities, and to act. Furthermore, fiscal analyses have demonstrated positive economic effects, not only in terms of regulatory efficiency but also in furthering more compact patterns of development. State delegation is unwise.