(i) provides habitat for "endangered species" or "threatened species" as defined in section 11-0535 of this title for animals and 9-1503 of this chapter for plants;

(ii) provides habitat for rare species where rare means species ranked as S1, S2 or S3 under criteria developed pursuant to paragraph b of subdivision one of this section; or

(iii) contains "significant ecological communities" where such term means all rare ecological communities as well as the best examples of common communities. b. Any property designated as a natural heritage area shall be described and depicted upon a map. The description shall include a narrative setting forth the plants, animals or ecological communities present on the property. The department shall make maps depicting natural heritage areas available for public inspection except as provided in subdivision four of this section. c. Designation may be accomplished by the head of any state agency or entity having jurisdiction over state lands or waters for such appropriate properties as may exist within their respective jurisdictions and consistent with their respective missions, provided the commissioner is consulted, and approves, prior to such designation. d. A designating state agency or entity shall publish notice concerning the designation of a natural heritage area in the environmental notice bulletin prior to such designation. Such notice shall provide for a thirty day public comment period following publication of the notice. e. The head of any state agency or entity having jurisdiction over state lands or waters previously designated as natural heritage areas may seek to remove all or a portion of such lands or waters from such designation provided, however, that prior to such removal the commissioner publishes a finding that the designated area or portion of such area no longer meets the criteria in paragraph a of this subdivision. Such finding shall be published in the environmental notice bulletin and shall provide for a thirty day public comment period following publication of the notice.