Hawaii’s list of federally endangered species is the longest in the nation, and it could grow under a plan announced Monday by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The service wants to add to the list three tree snails and 35 plants found on Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Kahoolawe. It also wants to re-evaluate the status of two plants already on the list.

The proposal would designate 271,062 acres of critical habitat for 135 species of plants and animals found on Maui and its surrounding islands.

According to the service, 39 of the 40 species being considered for endangered status are included in the 135 needing critical habitat designations.

Deeming land as critical habitat does not affect its ownership or establish a refuge, wilderness, reserve, preserve or other conservation area. It also does not mandate government or public access to private lands.

The Endangered Species Act most directly affects federal land or federally funded proj­ects on protected land, said Kenneth Foote, information and education specialist for the Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife office in Hono­lulu.

Foote said private landowners must abide by the act when dealing with protected animals on their land but do not have to seek approval or assistance when dealing with plants on their property.

"Of course, we encourage everybody to value each endangered species equally," he said.

According to the service, 53 percent of the proposed land, or about 143,662 acres, would be newly labeled space, while the rest is already designated as critical habitat for other species.

In total the critical habitat proposal amounts to 61 individual plots of land (192,364 acres) on Maui, 20 plots (46,832 acres) on Molokai, 14 plots (25,413 acres) on Lanai and five plots (6,453 acres) on Kahoolawe.

Copies of the proposal can be found at www.fws.gov/pacificislands.

The service is seeking public comment before making the listing and habitat changes final.

Residents with concerns or general information regarding the listed species’ habitats, biology, distribution and population size or other known threats can submit comments online at www.regulations.gov or by mail addressed to Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWSR1-ES-2011-0098; Division of Policy and Directives Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, MS 2042PDM; Arlington, VA 22203.

Comments will be accepted through Aug. 10, and requests for a public hearing must be received by the service in writing by July 26.