What is the Endangered Species Act of 1973?

What Is the Endangered Species Act of 1973?

• Answer:

  In 1973, Congress recognized that "depleted species are of aesthetic, ecological, educational, historical, recreational and scientific value," and passed the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA). The ESA has since provided protection for all endangered or threatened species of plant or animal, with the exception of pest insects. History Prior to 1973, the Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966, and its subsequent amendments, provided some protection for endangered species and set the groundwork for the ESA. In addition, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was signed by 80 countries, including the United States, earlier in 1973. Endangered/Threatened The ESA defined the terms "endangered" and "threatened," as they related to the act. According to the ESA, an endangered species is one that is "in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range," and a threatened species is one "which is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future." Protection The ESA actually protects endangered and threatened species by funding recovery plans and projects and imposing strict civil and criminal penalties for the trafficking or "taking" of endangered or threatened species. As defined by the ESA, "taking" can mean any form of harassment, harm or capture. Endangered/Threatened Species As of 2010, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) recognizes 414 endangered and 164 threatened species of animal, including the gray wolf, sockeye salmon and American crocodile. In addition, the FWS recognizes 644 endangered and 149 threatened species of plant, including the South Texas ambrosia, Santa Cruz cypress and long spurred mint.