Listings play an essential role. The ESA can indeed be parlayed into significant multiple species conservation, far beyond what would otherwise occur. But as proven by potentially disastrous project approvals by NCCP participating jurisdictions, voluntary programs in and of themselves are inadequate substitutes for actual listings. In Southern California, the California gnatcatcher listing remains an indispensable driving force. Public participation must be sought.
Public input is very likely essential to achieving an acceptable conservation result.
Collaborative stakeholder groups, as employed in the NCCP, have made many substantial contributions, particularly in preserve implementation and finance. Consensus is not common, but very powerful when it does occur. For final arbitration of contentious issues, however, the composition of local decision-making bodies remains of utmost importance. Partnerships with local government are powerful. The key advantage of an NCCP over the ESA alone is that local government is an active partner.