What is the U.S. Endangered Species Act?

In order to safeguard threatened species (plants and animals) and the ecosystems on which they depend, the US Endangered Species Act was passed in 1973. The law requires federal agencies to make sure that their actions, as well as the actions they fund or authorize, do not endanger the species listed under the act or any critical habitat that these species depend on.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) are in charge of its administration.

A proposal to list a species must be made by a member of the public, a scientist, an organization, etc., and then made public for public comment. The FWS then reviews the proposal and available scientific data to make a determination regarding whether or not to list the species under the Endangered Species Act, or ESA.

This decision takes into account the amount of available habitat, current threats, and any applicable regulations or laws. Any trade, killing, capture, or harassment of a species that is listed becomes illegal.

Click here to view all species covered by the act.

This is the webpage for the protection of endangered species.

The U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) is a federal law enacted in 1973 with the aim of protecting and recovering endangered and threatened species and the ecosystems upon which they depend. The ESA prohibits the harming, harassing, or killing of listed species and their habitats, and it provides for the designation of critical habitat areas essential for their survival and recovery. The law also requires federal agencies to ensure that their actions do not jeopardize the existence of listed species or adversely modify their critical habitats. Additionally, the ESA mandates the development of recovery plans for listed species and facilitates partnerships with states, tribes, and private landowners to conserve imperiled species and their habitats.