What is the endangerd species act?

Question

What is the endangerd species act?

Answer 1

Through federal action & by encouraging the establishment of state programs, the 1973 Endangered Species Act provided for the conservation of ecosystems upon which threatened & endangered species of fish, wildlife, & plants depend.

The Act:

~Authorizes the determination & listing of species as endangered & threatened...

~Prohibits unauthorized taking, possession, sale, & transportation of endangered species...

~Provides authority to acquire land for the conservation of listed species, using land & water conservation funds...

~Authorizes establishment of cooperative agreements & grants-in-aid to states that establish & maintain active & adequate programs for endangered & threatened wildlife & plants...

~Authorizes the assessment of civil & criminal penalties for violating the Act or regulations...

~Authorizes the payment of rewards to anyone furnishing information leading to arrest & conviction for any violation of the Act or any regulation issued thereunder...

Answer 2

The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) provides for the conservation of species that are endangered or threatened throughout all or a significant portion of their range, and the conservation of the ecosystems on which they depend. The ESA replaced the Endangered Species Conservation Act of 1969; it has been amended several times.

Answer 3

This monumental and groundbreaking legislation was signed into law by President Nixon in December of 1973.  The endangered Species Act (or ESA) finally enabled federal agencies like NOAA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to enforce the protection of threatened species.  Further, the ESA gave these bodies the power to protect vitally important habitat; develop and implement sweeping conservation programs; and carry out restoration programs.

The act also has provisions to allow citizens and NGOs the ability to seek civil litigation (or redress) to help protect the tenants of the ESA.  The most infamous of these efforts was the halt of logging in the coniferous forests of the Pacific Northwest -- to help save the spotted owl.

Additional provisions within the ESA allow for stiff fines and penalties for those found violating the act.  This is what gave the ESA real teeth and the ability to be realistically enforced.

The current "administration" has repeatedly tried to undermine the ESA -- more so then any other predecessor.  Fortunately a growing ground swell of support for the ESA and a renewed interest in conservation has halted the majority of their efforts.