ESA describes “critical” habitat as “specific geographic areas that contain features essential to the conservation of an endangered or threatened species” and may require special protection and management.
What is the endangered species act?
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 and its subsequent amendments creates the framework for conserving and safeguard threatened and endangered species as well as their habitats.
It is a violation of the ESA does not permit “Take” (broadly defined to include “harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture or collect”) endangered animals. Furthermore, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has stated the term “harm” includes “significant habitat modification or degradation.” Therefore, the habitat and the endangered animal is being protected.
Summary of the Endangered Species Act
16 U.S.C. SS1531 et seq. (1973)
The Endangered Species Act (“ESA”) prohibits exporting, importing and taking or possessing, selling and transporting endangered or threatened species (with some exceptions). ESA also allows for an identification of critical habitats and bans the destruction of the habitat. ESA laws are enforced through the recourse to civil suits by citizens, imprisonment or fines, as well as forfeiture.
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) is a law that provides a plan to conserve threatened and endangered species of plants and animals as well as the habitats where they live. The principal federal agencies responsible to implement ESA are
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) EXITEXIT EPA WEBSITE
- The FWS maintains an global list of threatened species on the EXITEXIT is the EPA website. These include birds, insects reptiles, fish mammals, crustaceans, grasses, flowers and trees.
- U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries ServiceEXITEXIT EPA WEBSITE.
The law obliges federal agencies, in conjunction in conjunction with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and/or the NOAA Fisheries Service, to ensure that any actions they authorize or fund or execute are not likely to compromise the existence of any species listed or cause destruction or alteration of critical habitats designated by the species concerned. It also bans act that results in a “taking” of any listed species of endangered species of wildlife or fish. Additionally, the import, export as well as interstate and foreign commerce with listed species are all prohibited.
Endangered Species Act: Economics
Debate over what there is a need for the Endangered Species Act should balance the advantages of conserving species against the financial cost of preservation. Cost plays a small factor in the application of the Endangered Species Law’s regulatory limitations.
Congress has, however, not provided the money needed to ensure the full recovery of endangered species in the Endangered Species Act.
In the face of high regulatory costs Property owners and other groups have also attempted at times, and succeeded, to weaken or erode regulations like the Endangered Species Act regulation through lawsuits.
What should a community be prepared to spend to save and save endangered species? Some think that it doesn’t matter how many dollars it will take, while others are not so sure.
What is the value of the species that is endangered worth to us?
Commercial value.
What is the worth of decomposition and detoxification of the waste as well as purification of air and water as well as other things. How to determine what value it brings us, and how much these species are worth to us.