Definition and declination of environmentally critical areas?

The Environmentally critical areas are defined according to the U.S. Senate in its land use policy and planning bill as: 'areas as defined and designated by the State or non-federal lands where uncontrolled or incompatible development could result in damage to the environment, life or property, or the long term public interest which is of more than local significance'. There are geological hazards like landslide, volcanoes, seismic hazards, etc., and other natural conditions that have led to the declination of these areas.