Endangered Species Act

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973
As Amended through the

108th Congress

Department of the Interior

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Washington, D.C. 20240

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page

Sec.
2. Findings, purposes, and policy ............................................................... 1

Sec.
3. Definitions .................................................................................................. 2

Sec.
4. Determination of endangered species and threatened species ......... 4

Sec.
5. Land acquisition ........................................................................................ 11

Sec.
6. Cooperation with the States ..................................................................... 11

Sec.
7. Interagency cooperation ........................................................................... 15

Sec.
8. International cooperation ......................................................................... 23

Sec. 8A. Convention implementation ..................................................................... 24

Sec.
9. Prohibited Acts .......................................................................................... 25

Sec. 10. Exceptions .................................................................................................. 28

Sec. 11. Penalties and enforcement ....................................................................... 34

Sec. 12. Endangered Plants .................................................................................... 39

Sec. 13. Conforming Amendments ........................................................................ 39

Sec. 14. Repealer ...................................................................................................... 40

Sec. 15. Authorization of appropriations ............................................................... 40

Sec. 16. Effective date ............................................................................................. 41

Sec. 17. Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 ................................................ 41

Sec. 18. Annual cost analysis by the Fish and Wildlife Service ........................ 41

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ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973*
FINDINGS, PURPOSES, AND POLICY

SEC. 2. (a) FINDINGS.—The Congress finds and declares that—
(1) various species of fish, wildlife, and plants in the United States have
been rendered extinct as a consequence of economic growth and development
untempered by adequate concern and conservation;
(2) other species of fish, wildlife, and plants have been so depleted in num­
bers that they are in danger of or threatened with extinction;
(3) these species of fish, wildlife, and plants are of esthetic, ecological, edu­
cational, historical, recreational, and scientific value to the Nation and its
people;
(4) the United States has pledged itself as a sovereign state in the interna­
tional community to conserve to the extent practicable the various species of
fish or wildlife and plants facing extinction, pursuant to—
(A) migratory bird treaties with Canada and Mexico;
(B) the Migratory and Endangered Bird Treaty with Japan;
(C) the Convention on Nature Protection and Wildlife Preservation in
the Western Hemisphere;
(D) the International Convention for the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries;
(E) the International Convention for the High Seas Fisheries of the
North Pacific Ocean;
(F) the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of
Wild Fauna and Flora; and
(G) other international agreements; and
(5) encouraging the States and other interested parties, through Federal
financial assistance and a system of incentives, to develop and maintain con­
servation programs which meet national and international standards is a key
to meeting the Nation’s international commitments and to better safeguard­
ing, for the benefit of all citizens, the Nation’s heritage in fish, wildlife, and
plants.
(b) PURPOSES.—The purposes of this Act are to provide a means whereby the eco­
systems upon which endangered species and threatened species depend may be con­
served, to provide a program for the conservation of such endangered species and
threatened species, and to take such steps as may be appropriate to achieve the
purposes of the treaties and conventions set forth in subsection (a) of this section.
(c) POLICY.—(1) It is further declared to be the policy of Congress that all Federal
____________
*As amended by P.L. 94-325, June 30, 1976; P.L. 94-359, July 12, 1976; P.L. 95-212, December 19, 1977; P.L.
95-632, November 10, 1978; P.L. 96-159, December 28, 1979; P.L. 97-304, October 13, 1982; P.L. 98-327, June
25, 1984; and P.L. 100-478, October 7, 1988; P.L. 107-171, May 13, 2002; P.L. 108-136, November 24, 2003.

2

departments and agencies shall seek to conserve endangered species and threatened
species and shall utilize their authorities in furtherance of the purposes of this Act.
(2) It is further declared to be the policy of Congress that Federal agencies shall
cooperate with State and local agencies to resolve water resource issues in concert
with conservation of endangered species.
DEFINITIONS

SEC. 3. For the purposes of this Act—
(1) The term “alternative courses of action” means all alternatives and thus is
not limited to original project objectives and agency jurisdiction.
(2) The term “commercial activity” means all activities of industry and trade,
including, but not limited to, the buying or selling of commodities and activities
conducted for the purpose of facilitating such buying and selling: Provided,
however, That it does not include exhibition of commodities by museums or similar
cultural or historical organizations.
(3) The terms “conserve”, “conserving”, and “conservation” mean to use and the
use of all methods and procedures which are necessary to bring any endangered
species or threatened species to the point at which the measures provided pursuant
to this Act are no longer necessary. Such methods and procedures include, but are
not limited to, all activities associated with scientific resources management such as
research, census, law enforcement, habitat acquisition and maintenance, propaga­
tion, live trapping, and transplantation, and, in the extraordinary case where popu­
lation pressures within a given ecosystem cannot be otherwise relieved, may include
regulated taking.
(4) The term “Convention” means the Convention on International Trade in En­
dangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, signed on March 3, 1973, and the appen­
dices thereto.
(5)(A) The term “critical habitat” for a threatened or endangered species means—
(i) the specific areas within the geographical area occupied by the species,
at the time it is listed in accordance with the provisions of section 4 of this Act,
on which are found those physical or biological features (I) essential to the
conservation of the species and (II) which may require special management
considerations or protection; and
(ii) specific areas outside the geographical area occupied by the species at
the time it is listed in accordance with the provisions of section 4 of this Act,
upon a determination by the Secretary that such areas are essential for the
conservation of the species.
(B) Critical habitat may be established for those species now listed as threatened
or endangered species for which no critical habitat has heretofore been established
as set forth in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph.
(C) Except in those circumstances determined by the Secretary, critical habitat
shall not include the entire geographical area which can be occupied by the threat­
ened or endangered species.
(6) The term “endangered species” means any species which is in danger of ex­
tinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range other than a species of
the Class Insecta determined by the Secretary to constitute a pest whose protection
under the provisions of this Act would present an overwhelming and overriding risk
to man.

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(7) The term “Federal agency” means any department, agency, or instrumentality
of the United States.
(8) The term “fish or wildlife” means any member of the animal kingdom, includ­
ing without limitation any mammal, fish, bird (including any migratory, nonmigratory,
or endangered bird for which protection is also afforded by treaty or other interna­
tional agreement), amphibian, reptile, mollusk, crustacean, arthropod or other in­
vertebrate, and includes any part, product, egg, or offspring thereof, or the dead
body or parts thereof.
(9) The term “foreign commerce” includes, among other things, any transaction—
(A) between persons within one foreign country;
(B) between persons in two or more foreign countries;
(C) between a person within the United States and a person in a foreign coun­
try; or
(D) between persons within the United States, where the fish and wildlife in
question are moving in any country or countries outside the United States.
(10) The term “import” means to land on, bring into, or introduce into, or attempt
to land on, bring into, or introduce into, any place subject to the jurisdiction of the
United States, whether or not such landing, bringing, or introduction constitutes an
importation within the meaning of the customs laws of the United States.
(11) [Repealed]
(12) The term “permit or license applicant” means, when used with respect to an
action of a Federal agency for which exemption is sought under section 7, any per­
son whose application to such agency for a permit or license has been denied prima­
rily because of the application of section 7(a) to such agency action.
(13) The term “person” means an individual, corporation, partnership, trust, asso­
ciation, or any other private entity; or any officer, employee, agent, department, or
instrumentality of the Federal Government, of any State, municipality, or political
subdivision of a State, or of any foreign government; any State, municipality, or
political subdivision of a State; or any other entity subject to the jurisdiction of the
United States.
(14) The term “plant” means any member of the plant kingdom, including seeds,
roots and other parts thereof.
(15) The term “Secretary” means, except as otherwise herein provided, the Sec­
retary of the Interior or the Secretary of Commerce as program responsibilities are
vested pursuant to the provisions of Reorganization Plan Numbered 4 of 1970; ex­
cept that with respect to the enforcement of the provisions of this Act and the Con­
vention which pertain to the importation or exportation of terrestrial plants, the
term also means the Secretary of Agriculture.
(16) The term “species” includes any subspecies of fish or wildlife or plants, and
any distinct population segment of any species of vertebrate fish or wildlife which
interbreeds when mature.
(17) The term “State” means any of the several States, the District of Columbia,
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and
the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.
(18) the term “State agency” means any State agency, department, board, com­
mission, or other governmental entity which is responsible for the management and
conservation of fish, plant, or wildlife resources within a State.
(19) The term “take” means to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap,
capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct.

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(20) The term “threatened species” means any species which is likely to become an
endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant por­
tion of its range.
(21) The term “United States,” when used in a geographical context, includes all
States.
DETERMINATION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES AND THREATENED SPECIES

SEC. 4. (a) GENERAL.—(1) The Secretary shall by regulation promulgated in accor­
dance with subsection (b) determine whether any species is an endangered species
or a threatened species because of any of the following factors:
(A) the present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of
its habitat or range;
(B) overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational
purposes;
(C) disease or predation;
(D) the inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms; or
(E) other natural or manmade factors affecting its continued existence.
(2) With respect to any species over which program responsibilities have been
vested in the Secretary of Commerce pursuant to Reorganization Plan Numbered 4
of 1970—
(A) in any case in which the Secretary of Commerce determines that such
species should—
(i) be listed as an endangered species or a threatened species, or
(ii) be changed in status from a threatened species to an endangered spe­
cies, he shall so inform the Secretary of the Interior, who shall list such
species in accordance with this section;
(B) in any case in which the Secretary of Commerce determines that such
species should—
(i) be removed from any list published pursuant to subsection (c) of this
section, or
(ii) be changed in status from an endangered species to a threatened spe­
cies, he shall recommend such action to the Secretary of the Interior, and
the Secretary of the Interior, if he concurs in the recommendation, shall
implement such action; an(C) the Secretary of the Interior may not list or
remove from any list any such species, and may not change the status of any
such species which are listed, without a prior favorable determination made
pursuant to this section by the Secretary of Commerce.
(3)(A) The Secretary, by regulation promulgated in accordance with subsection
(b) and to the maximum extent prudent and determinable—
(i) shall, concurrently with making a determination under paragraph (1)
that a species is an endangered species or a threatened species, designate any
habitat of such species which is then considered to be critical habitat; and
(ii) may, from time-to-time thereafter as appropriate, revise such designa­
tion.
(B)(i) The Secretary shall not designate as critical habitat any lands or other geo­
graphical areas owned or controlled by the Department of Defense, or designated
for its use, that are subject to an integrated natural resources management plan pre­
pared under section 101of the Sikes Act (16 U.S.C. 670a), if the Secretary determines

5

in writing that such plan provides a benefit to the species for which critical habitat is
proposed for designation.
(ii) Nothing in this paragraph affects the requirement to consult under sec­
tion 7(a)(2) with respect to an agency action (as that term is defined in that
section).
(iii) Nothing in this paragraph affects the obligation of the Department of
Defense to comply with section 9, including the prohibition preventing extinc­
tion and taking of endangered species and threatened species.
(b) BASIS FOR DETERMINATIONS.—(1)(A) The Secretary shall make determinations
required by subsection (a)(1) solely on the basis of the best scientific and commer­
cial data available to him after conducting a review of the status of the species and
after taking into account those efforts, if any, being made by any State or foreign
nation, or any political subdivision of a State or foreign nation, to protect such spe­
cies, whether by predator control, protection of habitat and food supply, or other
conservation practices, within any area under its jurisdiction, or on the high seas.
(B) In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall give consideration to species
which have been—
(i) designated as requiring protection from unrestricted commerce by any
foreign nation, or pursuant to any international agreement; or
(ii) identified as in danger of extinction, or likely to become so within the
foreseeable future, by any State agency or by any agency of a foreign nation
that is responsible for the conservation of fish or wildlife or plants.
(2) The Secretary shall designate critical habitat, and make revisions thereto, un­
der subsection (a)(3) on the basis of the best scientific data available and after tak­
ing into consideration the economic impact, the impact on national security, and any
other relevant impact, of specifying any particular area as critical habitat. The Sec­
retary may exclude any area from critical habitat if he determines that the benefits
of such exclusion outweigh the benefits of specifying such area as part of the critical
habitat, unless he determines, based on the best scientific and commercial data avail­
able, that the failure to designate such area as critical habitat will result in the ex­
tinction of the species concerned.
(3)(A) To the maximum extent practicable, within 90 days after receiving the peti­
tion of an interested person under section 553(e) of title 5, United States Code, to
add a species to, or to remove a species from, either of the lists published under
subsection (c), the Secretary shall make a finding as to whether the petition pre­
sents substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that the petitioned
action may be warranted. If such a petition is found to present such information, the
Secretary shall promptly commence a review of the status of the species concerned.
The Secretary shall promptly publish each finding made under this subparagraph
in the Federal Register.
(B) Within 12 months after receiving a petition that is found under subparagraph
(A) to present substantial information indicating that the petitioned action may be
warranted, the Secretary shall make one of the following findings:
(i) The petitioned action is not warranted, in which case the Secretary shall
promptly publish such finding in the Federal Register.
(ii) The petitioned action is warranted, in which case the Secretary shall
promptly publish in the Federal Register a general notice and the complete
text of a proposed regulation to implement such action in accordance with para­
graph (5).

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(iii) The petitioned action is warranted, but that—
(I) the immediate proposal and timely promulgation of a final regula­
tion implementing the petitioned action in accordance with paragraphs
(5) and (6) is precluded by pending proposals to determine whether any
species is an endangered species or a threatened species, and
(II) expeditious progress is being made to add qualified species to ei­
ther of the lists published under subsection (c) and to remove from such
lists species for which the protections of the Act are no longer necessary,
in which case the Secretary shall promptly publish such finding in the Fed­
eral Register, together with a description and evaluation of the reasons and
data on which the finding is based.
(C)(i) A petition with respect to which a finding is made under subparagraph (B)(iii)
shall be treated as a petition that is resubmitted to the Secretary under subpara­
graph (A) on the date of such finding and that presents substantial scientific or
commercial information that the petitioned action may be warranted.
(ii) Any negative finding described in subparagraph (A) and any finding described
in subparagraph (B)(i) or (iii) shall be subject to judicial review.
(iii) The Secretary shall implement a system to monitor effectively the status of all
species with respect to which a finding is made under subparagraph (B)(iii) and
shall make prompt use of the authority under paragraph 7 to prevent a significant
risk to the well being of any such species.
(D)(i) To the maximum extent practicable, within 90 days after receiving the peti­
tion of an interested person under section 553(e) of title 5, United States Code, to
revise a critical habitat designation, the Secretary shall make a finding as to whether
the petition presents substantial scientific information indicating that the revision
may be warranted. The Secretary shall promptly publish such finding in the Fed­
eral Register.
(ii) Within 12 months after receiving a petition that is found under clause (i) to
present substantial information indicating that the requested revision may be war­
ranted, the Secretary shall determine how he intends to proceed with the requested
revision, and shall promptly publish notice of such intention in the Federal Register.
(4) Except as provided in paragraphs (5) and (6) of this subsection, the provisions
of section 553 of title 5, United States Code (relating to rulemaking procedures),
shall apply to any regulation promulgated to carry out the purposes of this Act.
(5) With respect to any regulation proposed by the Secretary to implement a de­
termination, designation, or revision referred to in subsection (a)(1) or (3), the Sec­
retary shall—
(A) not less than 90 days before the effective date of the regulation—
(i) publish a general notice and the complete text of the proposed regula­
tion in the Federal Register, and
(ii) give actual notice of the proposed regulation (including the complete
text of the regulation) to the State agency in each State in which the species
is believed to occur, and to each county or equivalent jurisdiction in which
the species is believed to occur, and invite the comment of such agency, and
each such jurisdiction, thereon;
(B) insofar as practical, and in cooperation with the Secretary of State, give
notice of the proposed regulation to each foreign nation in which the species is
believed to occur or whose citizens harvest the species on the high seas, and invite
the comment of such nation thereon;

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(C) give notice of the proposed regulation to such professional scientific orga­
nizations as he deems appropriate;
(D) publish a summary of the proposed regulation in a newspaper of general
circulation in each area of the United States in which the species is believed to
occur; and
(E) promptly hold one public hearing on the proposed regulation if any per­
son files a request for such a hearing within 45 days after the date of publication
of general notice.
(6)(A) Within the one-year period beginning on the date on which general notice is
published in accordance with paragraph (5)(A)(i) regarding a proposed regulation,
the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register—
(i) if a determination as to whether a species is an endangered species or
a threatened species, or a revision of critical habitat, is involved, either—
(I) a final regulation to implement such determination,
(II) a final regulation to implement such revision or a finding that such
revision should not be made,
(III) notice that such one-year period is being extended under subpara­
graph (B)(i), or
(IV) notice that the proposed regulation is being withdrawn under sub­
paragraph (B)(ii), together with the finding on which such withdrawal is
based; or
(ii) subject to subparagraph (C), if a designation of critical habitat is in­
volved, either—
(I) a final regulation to implement such designation, or
(II) notice that such one-year period is being extended under such sub­
paragraph.
(B)(i) If the Secretary finds with respect to a proposed regulation referred to in
subparagraph (A)(i) that there is substantial disagreement regarding the sufficiency
or accuracy of the available data relevant to the determination or revision concerned,
the Secretary may extend the one-year period specified in subparagraph (A) for not
more than six months for purposes of soliciting additional data.
(ii) If a proposed regulation referred to in subparagraph (A)(i) is not promulgated
as a final regulation within such one-year period (or longer period if extension un­
der clause (i) applies) because the Secretary finds that there is not sufficient evi­
dence to justify the action proposed by the regulation, the Secretary shall immedi­
ately withdraw the regulation. The finding on which a withdrawal is based shall be
subject to judicial review. The Secretary may not propose a regulation that has pre­
viously been withdrawn under this clause unless he determines that sufficient new
information is available to warrant such proposal.
(iii) If the one-year period specified in subparagraph (A) is extended under clause
(i) with respect to a proposed regulation, then before the close of such extended
period the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register either a final regulation
to implement the determination or revision concerned, a finding that the revision
should not be made, or a notice of withdrawal of the regulation under clause (ii),
together with the finding on which the withdrawal is based.
(C) A final regulation designating critical habitat of an endangered species or a
threatened species shall be published concurrently with the final regulation imple­
menting the determination that such species is endangered or threatened, unless the
Secretary deems that—

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(i) it is essential to the conservation of such species that the regulation imple­
menting such determination be promptly published; or
(ii) critical habitat of such species is not then determinable, in which case
the Secretary, with respect to the proposed regulation to designate such habi­
tat, may extend the one-year period specified in subparagraph (A) by not more
than one additional year, but not later than the close of such additional year
the Secretary must publish a final regulation, based on such data as may be
available at that time, designating, to the maximum extent prudent, such habi­
tat.
(7) Neither paragraph (4), (5), or (6) of this subsection nor section 553 of title 5,
United States Code, shall apply to any regulation issued by the Secretary in regard
to any emergency posing a significant risk to the well-being of any species of fish or
wildlife or plants, but only if—
(A) at the time of publication of the regulation in the Federal Register the
Secretary publishes therein detailed reasons why such regulation is neces­
sary; and
(B) in the case such regulation applies to resident species of fish or wildlife,
or plants, the Secretary gives actual notice of such regulation to the State
agency in each State in which such species is believed to occur.
Such regulation shall, at the discretion of the Secretary, take effect immediately
upon the publication of the regulation in the Federal Register. Any regulation pro­
mulgated under the authority of this paragraph shall cease to have force and effect
at the close of the 240-day period following the date of publication unless, during
such 240-day period, the rulemaking procedures which would apply to such regula­
tion without regard to this paragraph are complied with. If at any time after issuing
an emergency regulation the Secretary determines, on the basis of the best appro­
priate data available to him, that substantial evidence does not exist to warrant such
regulation, he shall withdraw it.
(8) The publication in the Federal Register of any proposed or final regulation
which is necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of this Act shall include
a summary by the Secretary of the data on which such regulation is based and shall
show the relationship of such data to such regulation; and if such regulation desig­
nates or revises critical habitat, such summary shall, to the maximum extent practi­
cable, also include a brief description and evaluation of those activities (whether
public or private) which, in the opinion of the Secretary, if undertaken may adversely
modify such habitat, or may be affected by such designation.
(c) LISTS.—(1) The Secretary of the Interior shall publish in the Federal Register
a list of all species determined by him or the Secretary of Commerce to be endan­
gered species and a list of all species determined by him or the Secretary of Com­
merce to be threatened species. Each list shall refer to the species contained therein
by scientific and common name or names, if any, specify with respect to each such
species over what portion of its range it is endangered or threatened, and specify
any critical habitat within such range. The Secretary shall from time to time revise
each list published under the authority of this subsection to reflect recent determi­
nations, designations, and revisions made in accordance with subsections (a) and
(b).
(2) The Secretary shall—
(A) conduct, at least once every five years, a review of all species included in

9

a list which is published pursuant to paragraph (1) and which is in effect at the
time of such review; and
(B) determine on the basis of such review whether any such species should—
(i) be removed from such list;
(ii) be changed in status from an endangered species to a threatened
species; or
(iii) be changed in status from a threatened species to an endangered
species.
Each determination under subparagraph (B) shall be made in accordance with the
provisions of subsections (a) and (b).
(d) PROTECTIVE REGULATIONS.—Whenever any species is listed as a threatened spe­
cies pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, the Secretary shall issue such regula­
tions as he deems necessary and advisable to provide for the conservation of such
species. The Secretary may by regulation prohibit with respect to any threatened
species any act prohibited under section 9(a)(1), in the case of fish or wildlife, or
section 9(a)(2), in the case of plants, with respect to endangered species; except that
with respect to the taking of resident species of fish or wildlife, such regulations
shall apply in any State which has entered into a cooperative agreement pursuant to
section 6(c) of this Act only to the extent that such regulations have also been adopted
by such State.
(e) SIMILARITY OF APPEARANCE CASES.—The Secretary may, by regulation of com­
merce or taking, and to the extent he deems advisable, treat any species as an en­
dangered species or threatened species even though it is not listed pursuant to sec­
tion 4 of this Act if he finds that—
(A) such species so closely resembles in appearance, at the point in ques­
tion, a species which has been listed pursuant to such section that enforce­
ment personnel would have substantial difficulty in attempting to differenti­
ate between the listed and unlisted species;
(B) the effect of this substantial difficulty is an additional threat to an en­
dangered or threatened species; and
(C) such treatment of an unlisted species will substantially facilitate the en­
forcement and further the policy of this Act.
(f)(1) RECOVERY PLANS.—The Secretary shall develop and implement plans (here­
inafter in this subsection referred to as “recovery plans”) for the conservation and
survival of endangered species and threatened species listed pursuant to this sec­
tion, unless he finds that such a plan will not promote the conservation of the spe­
cies. The Secretary, in developing and implementing recovery plans, shall, to the
maximum extent practicable—
(A) give priority to those endangered species or threatened species, without
regard to taxonomic classification, that are most likely to benefit from such
plans, particularly those species that are, or may be, in conflict with construc­
tion or other development projects or other forms of economic activity;
(B) incorporate in each plan—
(i) a description of such site-specific management actions as may be
necessary to achieve the plan’s goal for the conservation and survival of
the species;
(ii) objective, measurable criteria which, when met, would result in a
determination, in accordance with the provisions of this section, that the
species be removed from the list; and

10

(iii) estimates of the time required and the cost to carry out those mea­
sures needed to achieve the plan’s goal and to achieve intermediate steps
toward that goal.
(2) The Secretary, in developing and implementing recovery plans, may procure
the services of appropriate public and private agencies and institutions, and other
qualified persons. Recovery teams appointed pursuant to this subsection shall not
be subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act.
(3) The Secretary shall report every two years to the Committee on Environment
and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fish­
eries of the House of Representatives on the status of efforts to develop and imple­
ment recovery plans for all species listed pursuant to this section and on the status
of all species for which such plans have been developed.
(4) The Secretary shall, prior to final approval of a new or revised recovery plan,
provide public notice and an opportunity for public review and comment on such
plan. The Secretary shall consider all information presented during the public com­
ment period prior to approval of the plan.
(5) Each Federal agency shall, prior to implementation of a new or revised recov­
ery plan, consider all information presented during the public comment period un­
der paragraph (4).
(g) MONITORING.—(1) The Secretary shall implement a system in cooperation with
the States to monitor effectively for not less than five years the status of all species
which have recovered to the point at which the measures provided pursuant to this
Act are no longer necessary and which, in accordance with the provisions of this
section, have been removed from either of the lists published under subsection (c).
(2) The Secretary shall make prompt use of the authority under paragraph 7 of
subsection (b) of this section to prevent a significant risk to the well being of any
such recovered species.
(h) AGENCY GUIDELINES.—The Secretary shall establish, and publish in the Fed­
eral Register, agency guidelines to insure that the purposes of this section are achieved
efficiently and effectively. Such guidelines shall include, but are not limited to—
(1) procedures for recording the receipt and the disposition of petitions sub­
mitted under subsection (b)(3) of this section;
(2) criteria for making the findings required under such subsection with
respect to petitions;
(3) a ranking system to assist in the identification of species that should
receive priority review under subsection (a)(1) of this section; and
(4) a system for developing and implementing, on a priority basis, recovery
plans under subsection (f) of this section. The Secretary shall provide to the
public notice of, and opportunity to submit written comments on, any guide­
line (including any amendment thereto) proposed to be established under this
subsection.
(i) If, in the case of any regulation proposed by the Secretary under the authority
of this section, a State agency to which notice thereof was given in accordance with
subsection (b)(5)(A)(ii) files comments disagreeing with all or part of the proposed
regulation, and the Secretary issues a final regulation which is in conflict with such
comments, or if the Secretary fails to adopt a regulation pursuant to an action peti­
tioned by a State agency under subsection (b)(3), the Secretary shall submit to the
State agency a written justification for his failure to adopt regulations consistent with
the agency’s comments or petition.

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LAND ACQUISITION

SEC. 5. (a) PROGRAM.—The Secretary, and the Secretary of Agriculture with re­
spect to the National Forest System, shall establish and implement a program to
conserve fish, wildlife, and plants, including those which are listed as endangered
species or threatened species pursuant to section 4 of this Act. To carry out such a
program, the appropriate Secretary—
(1) shall utilize the land acquisition and other authority under the Fish and
Wildlife Act of 1956, as amended, the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, as
amended, and the Migratory Bird Conservation Act, as appropriate; and
(2) is authorized to acquire by purchase, donation, or otherwise, lands, wa­
ters, or interests therein, and such authority shall be in addition to any other
land acquisition authority vested in him.
(b) ACQUISITIONS.—Funds made available pursuant to the Land and Water Con­
servation Fund Act of 1965, as amended, may be used for the purpose of acquiring
lands, waters, or interest therein under subsection (a) of this section.
COOPERATION WITH THE STATES

SEC. 6. (a) GENERAL.—In carrying out the program authorized by this Act, the
Secretary shall cooperate to the maximum extent practicable with the States. Such
cooperation shall include consultation with the States concerned before acquiring
any land or water, or interest therein, for the purpose of conserving any endangered
species or threatened species.
(b) MANAGEMENT AGREEMENTS.—The Secretary may enter into agreements with
any State for the administration and management of any area established for the
conservation of endangered species or threatened species. Any revenues derived
from the administration of such areas under these agreements shall be subject to
the provisions of section 401 of the Act of June 15, 1935 (49 Stat. 383; 16 U.S.C.
715s).
(c) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.—(1) In furtherance of the purposes of this Act, the
Secretary is authorized to enter into a cooperative agreement in accordance with
this section with any State which establishes and maintains an adequate and active
program for the conservation of endangered species and threatened species. Within
one hundred and twenty days after the Secretary receives a certified copy of such a
proposed State program, he shall make a determination whether such program is in
accordance with this Act. Unless he determines, pursuant to this paragraph that the
State program is not in accordance with this Act, he shall enter into a cooperative
agreement with the State for the purpose of assisting in implementation of the State
program. In order for a State program to be deemed an adequate and active pro­
gram for the conservation of endangered species and threatened species, the Secre­
tary must find, and annually thereafter reconfirm such finding, that under the State
program —
(A) authority resides in the State agency to conserve resident species of fish
or wildlife determined by the State agency or the Secretary to be endangered
or threatened;
(B) the State agency has established acceptable conservation programs, consis­
tent with the purposes and policies of this Act, for all resident species of fish or

12

wildlife in the State which are deemed by the Secretary to be endangered or
threatened, and has furnished a copy of such plan and program together with
all pertinent details, information, and data requested to the Secretary;
(C) the State agency is authorized to conduct investigations to determine the
status and requirements for survival of resident species of fish and wildlife;
(D) the State agency is authorized to establish programs, including the acqui­
sition of land or aquatic habitat or interests therein, for the conservation of
resident endangered or threatened species of fish or wildlife; and
(E) provision is made for public participation in designating resident species
of fish or wildlife as endangered or threatened; or that under the State pro­
gram—
(i) the requirements set forth in subparagraphs (C), (D), and (E) of this
paragraph are complied with, and
(ii) plans are included under which immediate attention will be given to
those resident species of fish and wildlife which are determined by the Sec­
retary or the State agency to be endangered or threatened and which the
Secretary and the State agency agree are most urgently in need of conser­
vation programs; except that a cooperative agreement entered into with a
State whose program is deemed adequate and active pursuant to clause (i)
and this clause shall not affect the applicability of prohibitions set forth in
or authorized pursuant to section 4(d) or section 9(a)(1) with respect to the
taking of any resident endangered or threatened species.
(2) In furtherance of the purposes of this Act, the Secretary is authorized to enter
into a cooperative agreement in accordance with this section with any State which
establishes and maintains an adequate and active program for the conservation of
endangered species and threatened species of plants. Within one hundred and twenty
days after the Secretary receives a certified copy of such a proposed State program,
he shall make a determination whether such program is in accordance with this Act.
Unless he determines, pursuant to this paragraph, that the State program is not in
accordance with this Act, he shall enter into a cooperative agreement with the State
for the purpose of assisting in implementation of the State program. In order for a
State program to be deemed an adequate and active program for the conservation
of endangered species of plants and threatened species of plants, the Secretary must
find, and annually thereafter reconfirm such finding, that under the State program—
(A) authority resides in the State agency to conserve resident species of plants
determined by the State agency or the Secretary to be endangered or threat­
ened;
(B) the State agency has established acceptable conservation programs, con­
sistent with the purposes and policies of this Act, for all resident species of plants
in the State which are deemed by the Secretary to be endangered or threat­
ened, and has furnished a copy of such plan and program together with all per­
tinent details, information, and data requested to the Secretary;
(C) the State agency is authorized to conduct investigations to determine the
status and requirements for survival of resident species of plants; and
(D) provision is made for public participation in designating resident species
of plants as endangered or threatened; or that under the State program—
(i) the requirements set forth in subparagraphs (C) and (D) of this para­
graph are complied with, and
(ii) plans are included under which immediate attention will be given to

13

those resident species of plants which are determined by the Secretary or the
State agency to be endangered or threatened and which the Secretary and
the State agency agree are most urgently in need of conservation programs;
except that a cooperative agreement entered into with a State whose pro­
gram is deemed adequate and active pursuant to clause (i) and this clause
shall not affect the applicability of prohibitions set forth in or authorized
pursuant to section 4(d) or section 9(a)(1) [16 USCS § § 1533(d), 1538(a)(1)]
with respect to the taking of any resident endangered or threatened spe­
cies.
(d) ALLOCATION OF FUNDS.—(1) The Secretary is authorized to provide financial
assistance to any State, through its respective State agency, which has entered into
a cooperative agreement pursuant to subsection (c) of this section to assist in devel­
opment of programs for the conservation of endangered and threatened species or
to assist in monitoring the status of candidate species pursuant to subparagraph (C)
of section 4(b)(3) and recovered species pursuant to section 4(g). The Secretary shall
allocate each annual appropriation made in accordance with the provisions of sub­
section (i) of this section to such States based on consideration of—
(A) the international commitments of the United States to protect endangered
species or threatened species;
(B) the readiness of a State to proceed with a conservation program consis­
tent with the objectives and purposes of this Act;
(C) the number of endangered species and threatened species within a State;
(D) the potential for restoring endangered species and threatened species
within a State;
(E) the relative urgency to initiate a program to restore and protect an en­
dangered species or threatened species in terms of survival of the species;
(F) the importance of monitoring the status of candidate species within a State
to prevent a significant risk to the well being of any such species; and
(G) the importance of monitoring the status of recovered species within a State
to assure that such species do not return to the point at which the measures
provided pursuant to this Act are again necessary.
So much of the annual appropriation made in accordance with provisions of sub­
section (i) of this section allocated for obligation to any State for any fiscal year as
remains unobligated at the close thereof is authorized to be made available to that
State until the close of the succeeding fiscal year. Any amount allocated to any State
which is unobligated at the end of the period during which it is available for expen­
diture is authorized to be made available for expenditure by the Secretary in con­
ducting programs under this section.
(2) Such cooperative agreements shall provide for (A) the actions to be taken by
the Secretary and the States; (B) the benefits that are expected to be derived in
connection with the conservation of endangered or threatened species; (C) the esti­
mated cost of these actions; and (D) the share of such costs to be borne by the Fed­
eral Government and by the States; except that—
(i) the Federal share of such program costs shall not exceed 75 percent of the
estimated program cost stated in the agreement; and
(ii) the Federal share may be increased to 90 percent whenever two or more
States having a common interest in one or more endangered or threatened spe­
cies, the conservation of which may be enhanced by cooperation of such States,
enter jointly into an agreement with the Secretary.

14

The Secretary may, in his discretion, and under such rules and regulations as he
may prescribe, advance funds to the State for financing the United States pro rata
share agreed upon in the cooperative agreement. For the purposes of this section,
the non-Federal share may, in the discretion of the Secretary, be in the form of money
or real property, the value of which will be determined by the Secretary, whose deci­
sion shall be final.
(e) REVIEW OF STATE PROGRAMS.—Any action taken by the Secretary under this
section shall be subject to his periodic review at no greater than annual intervals.
(f) CONFLICTS BETWEEN FEDERAL AND STATE LAWS.—Any State law or regulation
which applies with respect to the importation or exportation of, or interstate or for­
eign commerce in, endangered species or threatened species is void to the extent
that it may effectively (1) permit what is prohibited by this Act or by any regulation
which implements this Act, or (2) prohibit what is authorized pursuant to an exemp­
tion or permit provided for in this Act or in any regulation which implements this
Act. This Act shall not otherwise be construed to void any State law or regulation
which is intended to conserve migratory, resident, or introduced fish or wildlife, or
to permit or prohibit sale of such fish or wildlife. Any State law or regulation re­
specting the taking of an endangered species or threatened species may be more
restrictive than the exemptions or permits provided for in this Act or in any regula­
tion which implements this Act but not less restrictive than the prohibitions so de­
fined.
(g) TRANSITION.—(1) For purposes of this subsection, the term “establishment pe­
riod” means, with respect to any State, the period beginning on the date of enact­
ment of this Act and ending on whichever of the following dates first occurs: (A) the
date of the close of the 120-day period following the adjournment of the first regular
session of the legislature of such State which commences after such date of enact­
ment, or (B) the date of the close of the 15-month period following such date of
enactment.
(2) The prohibitions set forth in or authorized pursuant to sections 4(d) and
9(a)(1)(B) of this Act shall not apply with respect to the taking of any resident en­
dangered species or threatened species (other than species listed in Appendix I to
the Convention or otherwise specifically covered by any other treaty or Federal
law) within any state—
(A) which is then a party to a cooperative agreement with the Secretary pur­
suant to section 6(c) of this Act (except to the extent that the taking of any such
species is contrary to the law of such State); or
(B) except for any time within the establishment period when—
(i) the Secretary applies such prohibition to such species at the request of
the State, or
(ii) the Secretary applies such prohibition after he finds, and publishes
his finding, that an emergency exists posing a significant risk to the well­
being of such species and that the prohibition must be applied to protect
such species. The Secretary’s finding and publication may be made without
regard to the public hearing or comment provisions of section 553 of title 5,
United States Code, or any other provision of this Act; but such prohibition
shall expire 90 days after the date of its imposition unless the Secretary fur­
ther extends such prohibition by publishing notice and a statement of justifi­
cation of such extension.

15

(h) REGULATIONS.—The Secretary is authorized to promulgate such regulations as
may be appropriate to carry out the provisions of this section relating to financial
assistance to States.
(i) APPROPRIATIONS.—(1) To carry out the provisions of this section for fiscal years
after September 30, 1988, there shall be deposited into a special fund known as the
cooperative endangered species conservation fund, to be administered by the Sec­
retary, an amount equal to 5 percent of the combined amounts covered each fiscal
year into the Federal aid to wildlife restoration fund under section 3 of the Act of
September 2, 1937, and paid, transferred, or otherwise credited each fiscal year to
the Sport Fishing Restoration Account established under 1016 of the Act of July 18,
1984.
(2) Amounts deposited into the special fund are authorized to be appropriated
annually and allocated in accordance with subsection (d) of this section.
INTERAGENCY COOPERATION

SEC. 7. (a) FEDERAL AGENCY ACTIONS AND CONSULTATIONS.—(1) The Secretary shall
review other programs administered by him and utilize such programs in further­
ance of the purposes of this Act. All other Federal agencies shall, in consultation
with and with the assistance of the Secretary, utilize their authorities in furtherance
of the purposes of this Act by carrying out programs for the conservation of endan­
gered species and threatened species listed pursuant to section 4 of this Act.
(2) Each Federal agency shall, in consultation with and with the assistance of the
Secretary, insure that any action authorized, funded, or carried out by such agency
(hereinafter in this section referred to as an “agency action”) is not likely to jeopar­
dize the continued existence of any endangered species or threatened species or
result in the destruction or adverse modification of habitat of such species which is
determined by the Secretary, after consultation as appropriate with affected States,
to be critical, unless such agency has been granted an exemption for such action by
the Committee pursuant to subsection (h) of this section. In fulfilling the require­
ments of this paragraph each agency shall use the best scientific and commercial
data available.
(3) Subject to such guidelines as the Secretary may establish, a Federal agency
shall consult with the Secretary on any prospective agency action at the request of,
and in cooperation with, the prospective permit or license applicant if the applicant
has reason to believe that an endangered species or a threatened species may be
present in the area affected by his project and that implementation of such action
will likely affect such species.
(4) Each Federal agency shall confer with the Secretary on any agency action
which is likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any species proposed to be
listed under section 4 or result in the destruction or adverse modification of critical
habitat proposed to be designated for such species. This paragraph does not require
a limitation on the commitment of resources as described in subsection (d).
(b) OPINION OF SECRETARY.—(1)(A) Consultation under subsection (a)(2) with re­
spect to any agency action shall be concluded within the 90-day period beginning on
the date on which initiated or, subject to subparagraph (B), within such other period
of time as is mutually agreeable to the Secretary and the Federal agency.
(B) In the case of an agency action involving a permit or license applicant, the Sec­
retary and the Federal agency may not mutually agree to conclude consultation within

16

a period exceeding 90 days unless the Secretary, before the close of the 90th day re­
ferred to in subparagraph (A)—
(i) if the consultation period proposed to be agreed to will end before the 150th
day after the date on which consultation was initiated, submits to the applicant
a written statement setting forth—
(I) the reasons why a longer period is required,
(II) the information that is required to complete the consultation, and
(III) the estimated date on which consultation will be completed; or
(ii) if the consultation period proposed to be agreed to will end 150 or more
days after the date on which consultation was initiated, obtains the consent of
the applicant to such period.
The Secretary and the Federal agency may mutually agree to extend a consultation
period established under the preceding sentence if the Secretary, before the close of
such period, obtains the consent of the applicant to the extension.
(2) Consultation under subsection (a)(3) shall be concluded within such period as is
agreeable to the Secretary, the Federal agency, and the applicant concerned.
(3)(A) Promptly after conclusion of consultation under paragraph (2) or (3) of sub­
section (a), the Secretary shall provide to the Federal agency and the applicant, if
any, a written statement setting forth the Secretary’s opinion, and a summary of the
information on which the opinion is based, detailing how the agency action affects
the species or its critical habitat. If jeopardy or adverse modification is found, the
Secretary shall suggest those reasonable and prudent alternatives which he believes
would not violate subsection (a)(2) and can be taken by the Federal agency or appli­
cant in implementing the agency action.
(B) Consultation under subsection (a)(3), and an opinion issued by the Secretary
incident to such consultation, regarding an agency action shall be treated respec­
tively as a consultation under subsection (a)(2), and as an opinion issued after con­
sultation under such subsection, regarding that action if the Secretary reviews the
action before it is commenced by the Federal agency and finds, and notifies such
agency, that no significant changes have been made with respect to the action and
that no significant change has occurred regarding the information used during the
initial consultation.
(4) If after consultation under subsection (a)(2), the Secretary concludes that—
(A) the agency action will not violate such subsection, or offers reasonable and
prudent alternatives which the Secretary believes would not violate such sub­
section;
(B) the taking of an endangered species or a threatened species incidental to
the agency action will not violate such subsection; and
(C) if an endangered species or threatened species of a marine mammal is
involved, the taking is authorized pursuant to section 101(a)(5) of the Marine
Mammal Protection Act of 1972;
the Secretary shall provide the Federal agency and the applicant concerned, if any,
with a written statement that—
(i) specifies the impact of such incidental taking on the species,
(ii) specifies those reasonable and prudent measures that the Secretary consid­
ers necessary or appropriate to minimize such impact,
(iii) in the case of marine mammals, specifies those measures that are neces­
sary to comply with section 101(a)(5) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of
1972 with regard to such taking, and

17

(iv) sets forth the terms and conditions (including, but not limited to, reporting
requirements) that must be complied with by the Federal agency or applicant (if
any), or both, to implement the measures specified under clauses (ii) and (iii).
(c) BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT.—(1) To facilitate compliance with the requirements
of subsection (a)(2), each Federal agency shall, with respect to any agency action of
such agency for which no contract for construction has been entered into and for
which no construction has begun on the date of enactment of the Endangered Spe­
cies Act Amendments of 1978, request of the Secretary information whether any
species which is listed or proposed to be listed may be present in the area of such
proposed action. If the Secretary advises, based on the best scientific and commer­
cial data available, that such species may be present, such agency shall conduct a
biological assessment for the purpose of identifying any endangered species or threat­
ened species which is likely to be affected by such action. Such assessment shall be
completed within 180 days after the date on which initiated (or within such other
period as is mutually agreed to by the Secretary and such agency, except that if a
permit or license applicant is involved, the 180-day period may not be extended
unless such agency provides the applicant, before the close of such period, with a
written statement setting forth the estimated length of the proposed extension and
the reasons therefor) and, before any contract for construction is entered into and
before construction is begun with respect to such action. Such assessment may be
undertaken as part of a Federal agency’s compliance with the requirements of sec­
tion 102 of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332).
(2) Any person who may wish to apply for an exemption under subsection (g) of
this section for that action may conduct a biological assessment to identify any en­
dangered species or threatened species which is likely to be affected by such action.
Any such biological assessment must, however, be conducted in cooperation with the
Secretary and under the supervision of the appropriate Federal agency.
(d) LIMITATION ON COMMITMENT OF RESOURCES.—After initiation of consultation re­
quired under subsection (a)(2), the Federal agency and the permit or license appli­
cant shall not make any irreversible or irretrievable commitment of resources with
respect to the agency action which has the effect of foreclosing the formulation or
implementation of any reasonable and prudent alternative measures which would
not violate subsection (a)(2).
(e)(1) ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMITTEE.—There is established a committee to be
known as the Endangered Species Committee (hereinafter in this section referred
to as the “Committee”).
(2) The Committee shall review any application submitted to it pursuant to this
section and determine in accordance with subsection (h) of this section whether or
not to grant an exemption from the requirements of subsection (a)(2) of this section
for the action set forth in such application.
(3) The Committee shall be composed of seven members as follows:
(A) The Secretary of Agriculture.
(B) The Secretary of the Army.
(C) The Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors.
(D) The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
(E) The Secretary of the Interior.
(F) The Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra­
tion.
(G) The President, after consideration of any recommendations received pur­

18

suant to subsection (g)(2)(B) shall appoint one individual from each affected State,
as determined by the Secretary, to be a member of the Committee for the con­
sideration of the application for exemption for an agency action with respect to
which such recommendations are made, not later than 30 days after an applica­
tion is submitted pursuant to this section.
(4)(A) Members of the Committee shall receive no additional pay on account of
their service on the Committee.
(B) While away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance
of services for the Committee, members of the Committee shall be allowed travel
expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in the same manner as persons
employed intermittently in the Government service are allowed expenses under sec­
tion 5703 of title 5 of the United States Code.
(5)(A) Five members of the Committee or their representatives shall constitute a
quorum for the transaction of any function of the Committee, except that, in no case
shall any representative be considered in determining the existence of a quorum for
the transaction of any function of the Committee if that function involves a vote by
the Committee on any matter before the Committee.
(B) The Secretary of the Interior shall be the Chairman of the Committee.
(C) The Committee shall meet at the call of the Chairman or five of its members.
(D) All meetings and records of the Committee shall be open to the public.
(6) Upon request of the Committee, the head of any Federal agency is authorized
to detail, on a nonreimbursable basis, any of the personnel of such agency to the
Committee to assist it in carrying out its duties under this section.
(7)(A) The Committee may for the purpose of carrying out its duties under this
section hold such hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take such testimony,
and receive such evidence, as the Committee deems advisable.
(B) When so authorized by the Committee, any member or agent of the Commit­
tee may take any action which the Committee is authorized to take by this para­
graph.
(C) Subject to the Privacy Act, the Committee may secure directly from any Fed­
eral agency information necessary to enable it to carry out its duties under this
section. Upon request of the Chairman of the Committee, the head of such Federal
agency shall furnish such information to the Committee.
(D) The Committee may use the United States mails in the same manner and upon
the same conditions as a Federal agency.
(E) The Administrator of General Services shall provide to the Committee on a
reimbursable basis such administrative support services as the Committee may re­
quest.
(8) In carrying out its duties under this section, the Committee may promulgate
and amend such rules, regulations, and procedures, and issue and amend such or­
ders as it deems necessary.
(9) For the purpose of obtaining information necessary for the consideration of an
application for an exemption under this section the Committee may issue subpoenas
for the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of relevant papers,
books, and documents.
(10) In no case shall any representative, including a representative of a member
designated pursuant to paragraph (3)(G) of this subsection, be eligible to cast a vote
on behalf of any member.
(f) REGULATIONS.—Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of the En­

19

dangered Species Act Amendments of 1978, the Secretary shall promulgate regula­
tions which set forth the form and manner in which applications for exemption shall
be submitted to the Secretary and the information to be contained in such applica­
tions. Such regulations shall require that information submitted in an application by
the head of any Federal agency with respect to any agency action include, but not be
limited to —
(1) a description of the consultation process carried out pursuant to subsec­
tion (a)(2) of this section between the head of the Federal agency and the Secre­
tary; and
(2) a statement describing why such action cannot be altered or modified to
conform with the requirements of subsection (a)(2) of this section.
(g) APPLICATION FOR EXEMPTION AND REPORT TO THE COMMITTEE.—(1) A Federal
agency, the Governor of the State in which an agency action will occur, if any, or a
permit or license applicant may apply to the Secretary for an exemption for an
agency action of such agency if, after consultation under subsection (a)(2), the
Secretary’s opinion under subsection (b) indicates that the agency action would vio­
late subsection (a)(2). An application for an exemption shall be considered initially
by the Secretary in the manner provided for in this subsection, and shall be consid­
ered by the Committee for a final determination under subsection (h) after a report
is made pursuant to paragraph (5). The applicant for an exemption shall be referred
to as the “exemption applicant” in this section.
(2)(A) An exemption applicant shall submit a written application to the Secretary,
in a form prescribed under subsection (f), not later than 90 days after the comple­
tion of the consultation process; except that, in the case of any agency action involv­
ing a permit or license applicant, such application shall be submitted not later than
90 days after the date on which the Federal agency concerned takes final agency
action with respect to the issuance of the permit or license. For purposes of the
preceding sentence, the term “final agency action” means (i) a disposition by an
agency with respect to the issuance of a permit or license that is subject to adminis­
trative review, whether or not such disposition is subject to judicial review; or (ii) if
administrative review is sought with respect to such disposition, the decision result­
ing after such review. Such application shall set forth the reasons why the exemp­
tion applicant considers that the agency action meets the requirements for an ex­
emption under this subsection.
(B) Upon receipt of an application for exemption for an agency action under para­
graph (1), the Secretary shall promptly (i) notify the Governor of each affected State,
if any, as determined by the Secretary, and request the Governors so notified to
recommend individuals to be appointed to the Endangered Species Committee for
consideration of such application; and (ii) publish notice of receipt of the application
in the Federal Register, including a summary of the information contained in the
application and a description of the agency action with respect to which the applica­
tion for exemption has been filed.
(3) The Secretary shall within 20 days after the receipt of an application for exemp­
tion, or within such other period of time as is mutually agreeable to the exemption
applicant and the Secretary—
(A) determine that the Federal agency concerned and the exemption applicant
have—
(i) carried out the consultation responsibilities described in subsection (a)
in good faith and made a reasonable and responsible effort to develop and

20

fairly consider modifications or reasonable and prudent alternatives to the
proposed agency action which would not violate subsection (a)(2);
(ii) conducted any biological assessment required by subsection (c); and
(iii) to the extent determinable within the time provided herein, refrained
from making any irreversible or irretrievable commitment of resources pro­
hibited by subsection (d); or
(B) deny the application for exemption because the Federal agency concerned
or the exemption applicant have not met the requirements set forth in subpara­
graph (A)(i), (ii), and (iii).
The denial of an application under subparagraph (B) shall be considered final agency
action for purposes of chapter 7 of title 5, United States Code.
(4) If the Secretary determines that the Federal agency concerned and the ex­
emption applicant have met the requirements set forth in paragraph (3)(A)(i), (ii),
and (iii) he shall, in consultation with the Members of the Committee, hold a hearing
on the application for exemption in accordance with sections 554, 555, and 556 (other
than subsection (b)(1) and (2) thereof) of title 5, United States Code, and prepare
the report to be submitted pursuant to paragraph (5).
(5) Within 140 days after making the determinations under paragraph (3) or within
such other period of time as is mutually agreeable to the exemption applicant and
the Secretary, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee a report discussing—
(A) the availability of reasonable and prudent alternatives to the agency ac­
tion, and the nature and extent of the benefits of the agency action and of alter­
native courses of action consistent with conserving the species or the critical
habitat;
(B) a summary of the evidence concerning whether or not the agency action is
in the public interest and is of national or regional significance;
(C) appropriate reasonable mitigation and enhancement measures which
should be considered by the Committee; and
(D) whether the Federal agency concerned and the exemption applicant re­
frained from making any irreversible or irretrievable commitment of resources
prohibited by subsection (d).
(6) To the extent practicable within the time required for action under subsection
(g) of this section, and except to the extent inconsistent with the requirements of this
section, the consideration of any application for an exemption under this section and
the conduct of any hearing under this subsection shall be in accordance with sec­
tions 554, 555, and 556 (other than subsection (b)(3) of section 556) of title 5, United
States Code.
(7) Upon request of the Secretary, the head of any Federal agency is authorized to
detail, on a nonreimbursable basis, any of the personnel of such agency to the Secre­
tary to assist him in carrying out his duties under this section.
(8) All meetings and records resulting from activities pursuant to this subsection
shall be open to the public.
(h) EXEMPTION.—(1) The Committee shall make a final determination whether or
not to grant an exemption within 30 days after receiving the report of the Secretary
pursuant to subsection (g)(5). The Committee shall grant an exemption from the re­
quirements of subsection (a)(2) for an agency action if, by a vote of not less than five of
its members voting in person—
(A) it determines on the record, based on the report of the Secretary, the

21

record of the hearing held under subsection (g)(4) and on such other testimony or
evidence as it may receive, that—
(i) there are no reasonable and prudent alternatives to the agency action;
(ii) the benefits of such action clearly outweigh the benefits of alternative
courses of action consistent with conserving the species or its critical habi­
tat, and such action is in the public interest;
(iii) the action is of regional or national significance; and
(iv) neither the Federal agency concerned nor the exemption applicant
made any irreversible or irretrievable commitment of resources prohibited
by subsection (d); and
(B) it establishes such reasonable mitigation and enhancement measures, in­
cluding, but not limited to, live propagation, transplantation, and habitat acqui­
sition and improvement, as are necessary and appropriate to minimize the ad­
verse effects of the agency action upon the endangered species, threatened species,
or critical habitat concerned.
Any final determination by the Committee under this subsection shall be consid­
ered final agency action for purposes of chapter 7 of title 5 of the United States
Code.
(2)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), an exemption for an agency action
granted under paragraph (1) shall constitute a permanent exemption with respect
to all endangered or threatened species for the purposes of completing such agency
action—
(i) regardless whether the species was identified in the biological assessment;
and
(ii) only if a biological assessment has been conducted under subsection (c)
with respect to such agency action.
(B) An exemption shall be permanent under subparagraph (A) unless—
(i) the Secretary finds, based on the best scientific and commercial data avail­
able, that such exemption would result in the extinction of a species that was not
the subject of consultation under subsection (a)(2) or was not identified in any
biological assessment conducted under subsection (c), and
(ii) the Committee determines within 60 days after the date of the Secretary’s
finding that the exemption should not be permanent.
If the Secretary makes a finding described in clause (i), the Committee shall meet
with respect to the matter within 30 days after the date of the finding.
(i) REVIEW BY SECRETARY OF STATE.—Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Act, the Committee shall be prohibited from considering for exemption any applica­
tion made to it, if the Secretary of State, after a review of the proposed agency
action and its potential implications, and after hearing, certifies, in writing, to the
Committee within 60 days of any application made under this section that the grant­
ing of any such exemption and the carrying out of such action would be in violation
of an international treaty obligation or other international obligation of the United
States. The Secretary of State shall, at the time of such certification, publish a copy
thereof in the Federal Register.
(j) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the Committee shall grant an
exemption for any agency action if the Secretary of Defense finds that such exemp­
tion is necessary for reasons of national security.
(k) SPECIAL PROVISIONS.—An exemption decision by the Committee under this
section shall not be a major Federal action for purposes of the National Environ­

22

mental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.): Provided, That an environmental
impact statement which discusses the impacts upon endangered species or threat­
ened species or their critical habitats shall have been previously prepared with
respect to any agency action exempted by such order.
(l) COMMITTEE ORDERS.—(1) If the Committee determines under subsection (h)
that an exemption should be granted with respect to any agency action, the
Committee shall issue an order granting the exemption and specifying the mitiga­
tion and enhancement measures established pursuant to subsection (h) which shall
be carried out and paid for by the exemption applicant in implementing the
agency action. All necessary mitigation and enhancement measures shall be
authorized prior to the implementing of the agency action and funded concur­
rently with all other project features.
(2) The applicant receiving such exemption shall include the costs of such
mitigation and enhancement measures within the overall costs of continuing the
proposed action. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence the costs of such
measures shall not be treated as project costs for the purpose of computing
benefit-cost or other ratios for the proposed action. Any applicant may request
the Secretary to carry out such mitigation and enhancement measures. The costs
incurred by the Secretary in carrying out any such measures shall be paid by the
applicant receiving the exemption. No later than one year after the granting of an
exemption, the exemption applicant shall submit to the Council on Environmental
Quality a report describing its compliance with the mitigation and enhancement
measures prescribed by this section. Such a report shall be submitted annually
until all such mitigation and enhancement measures have been completed. Notice
of the public availability of such reports shall be published in the Federal Register
by the Council on Environmental Quality.
(m) NOTICE.—The 60-day notice requirement of section 11(g) of this Act shall not
apply with respect to review of any final determination of the Committee under
subsection (h) of this section granting an exemption from the requirements of sub­
section (a)(2) of this section.
(n) JUDICIAL REVIEW. —Any person, as defined by section 3(13) of this Act, may
obtain judicial review, under chapter 7 of title 5 of the United States Code, of any
decision of the Endangered Species Committee under subsection (h) in the United
States Court of Appeals for (1) any circuit wherein the agency action concerned will
be, or is being, carried out, or (2) in any case in which the agency action will be, or is
being, carried out outside of any circuit, the District of Columbia, by filing in such
court within 90 days after the date of issuance of the decision, a written petition for
review. A copy of such petition shall be transmitted by the clerk of the court to the
Committee and the Committee shall file in the court the record in the proceeding, as
provided in section 2112, of title 28, United States Code. Attorneys designated by
the Endangered Species Committee may appear for, and represent the Committee
in any action for review under this subsection.
(o) Notwithstanding sections 4(d) and 9(a)(1)(B) and (C), sections 101 and 102 of
the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, or any regulation promulgated to imple­
ment any such section—
(1) any action for which an exemption is granted under subsection (h) shall not
be considered to be a taking of any endangered species or threatened species with
respect to any activity which is necessary to carry out such action; and
(2) any taking that is in compliance with the terms and conditions specified in

23

a written statement provided under subsection (b)(4)(iv) shall not be considered
to be a prohibited taking of the species concerned.
(p) EXEMPTIONS IN PRESIDENTIALLY DECLARED DISASTER AREAS.—In any area which
has been declared by the President to be a major disaster area under the Disaster
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, the President is authorized to make the de­
terminations required by subsections (g) and (h) of this section for any project for
the repair or replacement of a public facility substantially as it existed prior to the
disaster under section 405 or 406 of the Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance
Act, and which the President determines (1) is necessary to prevent the recurrence
of such a natural disaster and to reduce the potential loss of human life, and (2) to
involve an emergency situation which does not allow the ordinary procedures of this
section to be followed. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the Com­
mittee shall accept the determinations of the President under this subsection.
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

SEC. 8. (a) FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.—As a demonstration of the commitment of the
United States to the worldwide protection of endangered species and threatened
species, the President may, subject to the provisions of section 1415 of the Supple­
mental Appropriation Act, 1953 (31 U.S.C. 724), use foreign currencies accruing to
the United States Government under the Agricultural Trade Development and As­
sistance Act of 1954 or any other law to provide to any foreign country (with its
consent) assistance in the development and management of programs in that coun­
try which the Secretary determines to be necessary or useful for the conservation of
any endangered species or threatened species listed by the Secretary pursuant to
section 4 of this Act. The President shall provide assistance (which includes, but is
not limited to, the acquisition, by lease or otherwise, of lands, waters, or interests
therein) to foreign countries under this section under such terms and conditions as
he deems appropriate. Whenever foreign currencies are available for the provision
of assistance under this section, such currencies shall be used in preference to funds
appropriated under the authority of section 15 of this Act.
(b) ENCOURAGEMENT OF FOREIGN PROGRAMS.—In order to carry out further the
provisions of this Act, the Secretary, through the Secretary of State, shall encour­
age—
(1) foreign countries to provide for the conservation of fish or wildlife and
plants including endangered species and threatened species listed pursuant to
section 4 of this Act;
(2) the entering into of bilateral or multilateral agreements with foreign coun­
tries to provide for such conservation; and
(3) foreign persons who directly or indirectly take fish or wildlife or plants in
foreign countries or on the high seas for importation into the United States for
commercial or other purposes to develop and carry out with such assistance as
he may provide, conservation practices designed to enhance such fish or wildlife
or plants and their habitat.
(c) PERSONNEL.—After consultation with the Secretary of State, the Secretary may—
(1) assign or otherwise make available any officer or employee of his depart­
ment for the purpose of cooperating with foreign countries and international or­
ganizations in developing personnel resources and programs which promote the
conservation of fish or wildlife or plants; and

24

(2) conduct or provide financial assistance for the educational training of for­
eign personnel, in this country or abroad, in fish, wildlife, or plant management,
research and law enforcement and to render professional assistance abroad in
such matters.
(d) INVESTIGATIONS.—After consultation with the Secretary of State and the Sec­
retary of the Treasury, as appropriate, the Secretary may conduct or cause to be
conducted such law enforcement investigations and research abroad as he deems
necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
CONVENTION IMPLEMENTATION

SEC. 8A. (a) MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY AND SCIENTIFIC AUTHORITY.—The Secretary
of the Interior (hereinafter in this section referred to as the “Secretary”) is desig­
nated as the Management Authority and the Scientific Authority for purposes of the
Convention and the respective functions of each such Authority shall be carried out
through the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
(b) MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY FUNCTIONS.—The Secretary shall do all things neces­
sary and appropriate to carry out the functions of the Management Authority un­
der the Convention.
(c) SCIENTIFIC AUTHORITY FUNCTIONS.—(1) The Secretary shall do all things neces­
sary and appropriate to carry out the functions of the Scientific Authority under the
Convention.
(2) The Secretary shall base the determinations and advice given by him under
Article IV of the Convention with respect to wildlife upon the best available biologi­
cal information derived from professionally accepted wildlife management practices;
but is not required to make, or require any State to make, estimates of population
size in making such determinations or giving such advice.
(d) RESERVATIONS BY THE UNITED STATES UNDER CONVENTION.—If the United States
votes against including any species in Appendix I or II of the Convention and does
not enter a reservation pursuant to paragraph (3) of Article XV of the Convention
with respect to that species, the Secretary of State, before the 90th day after the last
day on which such a reservation could be entered, shall submit to the Committee on
Merchant Marine and Fisheries of the House of Representatives, and to the Com­
mittee on the Environment and Public Works of the Senate, a written report setting
forth the reasons why such a reservation was not entered.
(e) WILDLIFE PRESERVATION IN WESTERN HEMISPHERE.—(1) The Secretary of the
Interior (hereinafter in this subsection referred to as the “Secretary”), in coopera­
tion with the Secretary of State, shall act on behalf of, and represent, the United
States in all regards as required by the Convention on Nature Protection and Wild­
life Preservation in the Western Hemisphere (56 Stat. 1354, T.S. 982, hereinafter in
this subsection referred to as the “Western Convention”). In the discharge of these
responsibilities, the Secretary and the Secretary of State shall consult with the Secre­
tary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Commerce, and the heads of other agencies with
respect to matters relating to or affecting their areas of responsibility.
(2) The Secretary and the Secretary of State shall, in cooperation with the con­
tracting parties to the Western Convention and, to the extent feasible and appropri­
ate, with the participation of State agencies, take such steps as are necessary to imple­
ment the Western Convention. Such steps shall include, but not be limited to—
(A) cooperation with contracting parties and international organizations for

25

the purpose of developing personnel resources and programs that will facilitate
implementation of the Western Convention.
(B) identification of those species of birds that migrate between the United
States and other contracting parties, and the habitats upon which those species
depend, and the implementation of cooperative measures to ensure that such
species will not become endangered or threatened; and
(C) identification of measures that are necessary and appropriate to imple­
ment those provisions of the Western Convention which address the protection
of wild plants.
(3) No later than September 30, 1985, the Secretary and the Secretary of State
shall submit a report to Congress describing those steps taken in accordance with
the requirements of this subsection and identifying the principal remaining actions
yet necessary for comprehensive and effective implementation of the Western Con­
vention.
(4) The provisions of this subsection shall not be construed as affecting the au­
thority, jurisdiction, or responsibility of the several States to manage, control, or
regulate resident fish or wildlife under State law or regulations.
PROHIBITED ACTS

SEC. 9. (a) GENERAL.—(1) Except as provided in sections 6(g)(2) and 10 of this Act,
with respect to any endangered species of fish or wildlife listed pursuant to section 4
of this Act it is unlawful for any person subject to the jurisdiction of the United
States to—
(A) import any such species into, or export any such species from the United
States;
(B) take any such species within the United States or the territorial sea of the
United States;
(C) take any such species upon the high seas;
(D) possess, sell, deliver, carry, transport, or ship, by any means whatsoever,
any such species taken in violation of subparagraphs (B) and (C);
(E) deliver, receive, carry, transport, or ship in interstate or foreign commerce,
by any means whatsoever and in the course of a commercial activity, any such
species;
(F) sell or offer for sale in interstate or foreign commerce any such species; or
(G) violate any regulation pertaining to such species or to any threatened spe­
cies of fish or wildlife listed pursuant to section 4 of this Act and promulgated by
the Secretary pursuant to authority provided by this Act.
(2) Except as provided in sections 6(g)(2) and 10 of this Act, with respect to any
endangered species of plants listed pursuant to section 4 of this Act, it is unlawful for
any person subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to—
(A) import any such species into, or export any such species from, the United
States;
(B) remove and reduce to possession any such species from areas under Federal
jurisdiction; maliciously damage or destroy any such species on any such area; or
remove, cut, dig up, or damage or destroy any such species on any other area in
knowing violation of any law or regulation of any State or in the course of any
violation of a State criminal trespass law;

26

(C) deliver, receive, carry, transport, or ship in interstate or foreign commerce,
by any means whatsoever and in the course of a commercial activity, any such
species;
(D) sell or offer for sale in interstate or foreign commerce any such species; or
(E) violate any regulation pertaining to such species or to any threatened
species of plants listed pursuant to section 4 of this Act and promulgated by the
Secretary pursuant to authority provided by this Act.
(b)(1) SPECIES HELD IN CAPTIVITY OR CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT.—The provisions
of subsections (a)(1)(A) and (a)(1)(G) of this section shall not apply to any fish or
wildlife which was held in captivity or in a controlled environment on (A) December
28, 1973, or (B) the date of the publication in the Federal Register of a final regula­
tion adding such fish or wildlife species to any list published pursuant to subsection
(c) of section 4 of this Act: Provided, That such holding and any subsequent holding
or use of the fish or wildlife was not in the course of a commercial activity. With
respect to any act prohibited by subsections (a)(1)(A) and (a)(1)(G) of this section
which occurs after a period of 180 days from (i) December 28, 1973, or (ii) the date of
publication in the Federal Register of a final regulation adding such fish or wildlife
species to any list published pursuant to subsection (c) of section 4 of this Act, there
shall be a rebuttable presumption that the fish or wildlife involved in such act is not
entitled to the exemption contained in this subsection.
(2)(A) The provisions of subsection (a)(1) shall not apply to—
(i) any raptor legally held in captivity or in a controlled environment on the
effective date of the Endangered Species Act Amendments of 1978; or
(ii) any progeny of any raptor described in clause (i); until such time as any
such raptor or progeny is intentionally returned to a wild state.
(B) Any person holding any raptor or progeny described in subparagraph (A)
must be able to demonstrate that the raptor or progeny does, in fact, qualify under
the provisions of this paragraph, and shall maintain and submit to the Secretary, on
request, such inventories, documentation, and records as the Secretary may by regu­
lation require as being reasonably appropriate to carry out the purposes of this
paragraph. Such requirements shall not unnecessarily duplicate the requirements
of other rules and regulations promulgated by the Secretary.
(c) VIOLATION OF CONVENTION.—(1) It is unlawful for any person subject to the
jurisdiction of the United States to engage in any trade in any specimens contrary
to the provisions of the Convention, or to possess any specimens traded contrary to
the provisions of the Convention, including the definitions of terms in article I thereof.
(2) Any importation into the United States of fish or wildlife shall, if —
(A) such fish or wildlife is not an endangered species listed pursuant to section
4 of this Act but is listed in Appendix II to the Convention,
(B) the taking and exportation of such fish or wildlife is not contrary to the
provisions of the Convention and all other applicable requirements of the Con­
vention have been satisfied,
(C) the applicable requirements of subsections (d), (e), and (f) of this section
have been satisfied, and
(D) such importation is not made in the course of a commercial activity, be
presumed to be an importation not in violation of any provision of this Act or any
regulation issued pursuant to this Act.
(d) IMPORTS AND EXPORTS.—

27

(1) IN GENERAL.—It is unlawful for any person, without first having obtained
permission from the Secretary, to engage in business—
(A) as an importer or exporter of fish or wildlife (other than shellfish and
fishery products which (i) are not listed pursuant to section 4 of this Act as
endangered species or threatened species, and (ii) are imported for pur­
poses of human or animal consumption or taken in waters under the juris­
diction of the United States or on the high seas for recreational purposes)
or plants; or
(B) as an importer or exporter of any amount of raw or worked African
elephant ivory.
(2) REQUIREMENTS.—Any person required to obtain permission under para­
graph (1) of this subsection shall—
(A) keep such records as will fully and correctly disclose each importation
or exportation of fish, wildlife, plants, or African elephant ivory made by
him and the subsequent disposition made by him with respect to such fish,
wildlife, plants, or ivory;
(B) at all reasonable times upon notice by a duly authorized representa­
tive of the Secretary, afford such representative access to his place of busi­
ness, an opportunity to examine his inventory of imported fish, wildlife,
plants, or African elephant ivory and the records required to be kept under
subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, and to copy such records; and
(C) file such reports as the Secretary may require.
(3) REGULATIONS.—The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as are nec­
essary and appropriate to carry out the purposes of this subsection.
(4) RESTRICTION ON CONSIDERATION OF VALUE OR AMOUNT OF AFRICAN ELEPHANT
IVORY IMPORTED OR EXPORTED.—In granting permission under this subsection
for importation or exportation of African elephant ivory, the Secretary shall not
vary the requirements for obtaining such permission on the basis of the value or
amount of ivory imported or exported under such permission.
(e) REPORTS.—It is unlawful for any person importing or exporting fish or wildlife
(other than shellfish and fishery products which (1) are not listed pursuant to sec­
tion 4 of this Act as endangered or threatened species, and (2) are imported for
purposes of human or animal consumption or taken in waters under the jurisdiction
of the United States or on the high seas for recreational purposes) or plants to fail to
file any declaration or report as the Secretary deems necessary to facilitate enforce­
ment of this Act or to meet the obligations of the Convention.
(f) DESIGNATION OF PORTS.— (1) It is unlawful for any person subject to the juris­
diction of the United States to import into or export from the United States any fish
or wildlife (other than shellfish and fishery products which (A) are not listed pursu­
ant to section 4 of this Act as endangered species or threatened species, and (B) are
imported for purposes of human or animal consumption or taken in waters under
the jurisdiction of the United States or on the high seas for recreational purposes)
or plants, except at a port or ports designated by the Secretary of the Interior. For
the purpose of facilitating enforcement of this Act and reducing the costs thereof, the
Secretary of the Interior, with approval of the Secretary of the Treasury and after
notice and opportunity for public hearing, may, by regulation, designate ports and
change such designations. The Secretary of the Interior, under such terms and condi­
tions as he may prescribe, may permit the importation or exportation at nondesignated
ports in the interest of the health or safety of the fish or wildlife or plants, or for other

28

reasons if, in his discretion, he deems it appropriate and consistent with the purpose
of this subsection.
(2) Any port designated by the Secretary of the Interior under the authority of
section 4(d) of the Act of December 5, 1969 (16 U.S.C. 666cc-4(d)), shall, if such
designation is in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act, be
deemed to be a port designated by the Secretary under paragraph (1) of this sub­
section until such time as the Secretary otherwise provides.
(g) VIOLATIONS.—It is unlawful for any person subject to the jurisdiction of the
United States to attempt to commit, solicit another to commit, or cause to be com­
mitted, any offense defined in this section.
EXCEPTIONS

SEC. 10. (a) PERMITS.—(1) The Secretary may permit, under such terms and con­
ditions as he shall prescribe—
(A) any act otherwise prohibited by section 9 for scientific purposes or to en­
hance the propagation or survival of the affected species, including, but not lim­
ited to, acts necessary for the establishment and maintenance of experimental
populations pursuant to subsection (j); or
(B) any taking otherwise prohibited by section 9(a)(1)(B) if such taking is inci­
dental to, and not the purpose of, the carrying out of an otherwise lawful activ­
ity.
(2)(A) No permit may be issued by the Secretary authorizing any taking referred
to in paragraph (1)(B) unless the applicant therefor submits to the Secretary a con­
servation plan that specifies—
(i) the impact which will likely result from such taking;
(ii) what steps the applicant will take to minimize and mitigate such impacts,
and the funding that will be available to implement such steps;
(iii) what alternative actions to such taking the applicant considered and the
reasons why such alternatives are not being utilized; and
(iv) such other measures that the Secretary may require as being necessary
or appropriate for purposes of the plan.
(B) If the Secretary finds, after opportunity for public comment, with respect to a
permit application and the related conservation plan that—
(i) the taking will be incidental;
(ii) the applicant will, to the maximum extent practicable, minimize and miti­
gate the impacts of such taking;
(iii) the applicant will ensure that adequate funding for the plan will be pro­
vided;
(iv) the taking will not appreciably reduce the likelihood of the survival and
recovery of the species in the wild; and
(v) the measures, if any, required under subparagraph (A)(iv) will be met;
and he has received such other assurances as he may require that the plan will be
implemented, the Secretary shall issue the permit. The permit shall contain such terms
and conditions as the Secretary deems necessary or appropriate to carry out the pur­
poses of this paragraph, including, but not limited to, such reporting requirements as
the Secretary deems necessary for determining whether such terms and conditions
are being complied with.

29

(C) The Secretary shall revoke a permit issued under this paragraph if he finds that
the permittee is not complying with the terms and conditions of the permit.
(b) HARDSHIP EXEMPTIONS.—(1) If any person enters into a contract with respect
to a species of fish or wildlife or plant before the date of the publication in the Fed­
eral Register of notice of consideration of that species as an endangered species and
the subsequent listing of that species as an endangered species pursuant to section
4 of this Act will cause undue economic hardship to such person under the contract,
the Secretary, in order to minimize such hardship, may exempt such person from
the application of section 9(a) of this Act to the extent the Secretary deems appro­
priate if such person applies to him for such exemption and includes with such appli­
cation such information as the Secretary may require to prove such hardship; ex­
cept that (A) no such exemption shall be for a duration of more than one year from
the date of publication in the Federal Register of notice of consideration of the spe­
cies concerned, or shall apply to a quantity of fish or wildlife or plants in excess of
that specified by the Secretary; (B) the one-year period for those species of fish or
wildlife listed by the Secretary as endangered prior to the effective date of this Act
shall expire in accordance with the terms of section 3 of the Act of December 5, 1969
(83 Stat. 275); and (C) no such exemption may be granted for the importation or
exportation of a specimen listed in Appendix I of the Convention which is to be used
in a commercial activity.
(2) As used in this subsection, the term “undue economic hardship” shall include,
but not be limited to:
(A) substantial economic loss resulting from inability caused by this Act to
perform contracts with respect to species of fish and wildlife entered into prior
to the date of publication in the Federal Register of a notice of consideration of
such species as an endangered species;
(B) substantial economic loss to persons who, for the year prior to the notice
of consideration of such species as an endangered species, derived a substantial
portion of their income from the lawful taking of any listed species, which tak­
ing would be made unlawful under this Act; or
(C) curtailment of subsistence taking made unlawful under this Act by per­
sons (i) not reasonably able to secure other sources of subsistence; and (ii) de­
pendent to a substantial extent upon hunting and fishing for subsistence; and
(iii) who must engage in such curtailed taking for subsistence purposes.
(3) The Secretary may make further requirements for a showing of undue eco­
nomic hardship as he deems fit. Exceptions granted under this section may be lim­
ited by the Secretary in his discretion as to time, area, or other factor of applicabil­
ity.
(c) NOTICE AND REVIEW.—The Secretary shall publish notice in the Federal Regis­
ter of each application for an exemption or permit which is made under this section.
Each notice shall invite the submission from interested parties, within thirty days
after the date of the notice, of written data, views, or arguments with respect to the
application; except that such thirty-day period may be waived by the Secretary in
an emergency situation where the health or life of an endangered animal is threat­
ened and no reasonable alternative is available to the applicant, but notice of any such
waiver shall be published by the Secretary in the Federal Register within ten days
following the issuance of the exemption or permit. Information received by the Sec­
retary as a part of any application shall be available to the public as a matter of public
record at every stage of the proceeding.

30

(d) PERMIT AND EXEMPTION POLICY.—The Secretary may grant exceptions under
subsections (a)(1)(A) and (b) of this section only if he finds and publishes his finding
in the Federal Register that (1) such exceptions were applied for in good faith, (2) if
granted and exercised will not operate to the disadvantage of such endangered spe­
cies, and (3) will be consistent with the purposes and policy set forth in section 2 of
this Act.
(e) ALASKA NATIVES.—(1) Except as provided in paragraph (4) of this subsection
the provisions of this Act shall not apply with respect to the taking of any endan­
gered species or threatened species, or the importation of any such species taken
pursuant to this section, by—
(A) any Indian, Aleut, or Eskimo who is an Alaskan Native who resides in
Alaska; or
(B) any non-native permanent resident of an Alaskan native village;
if such taking is primarily for subsistence purposes. Non-edible byproducts of spe­
cies taken pursuant to this section may be sold in interstate commerce when made
into authentic native articles of handicrafts and clothing; except that the provisions
of this subsection shall not apply to any non-native resident of an Alaskan native
village found by the Secretary to be not primarily dependent upon the taking of fish
and wildlife for consumption or for the creation and sale of authentic native articles
of handicrafts and clothing.
(2) Any taking under this subsection may not be accomplished in a wasteful man­
ner.
(3) As used in this subsection—
(i) The term “subsistence” includes selling any edible portion of fish or wild­
life in native villages and towns in Alaska for native consumption within native
villages or towns; and
(ii) The term “authentic native articles of handicrafts and clothing” means
items composed wholly or in some significant respect of natural materials, and
which are produced, decorated, or fashioned in the exercise of traditional native
handicrafts without the use of pantographs, multiple carvers, or other mass
copying devices. Traditional native handicrafts include, but are not limited to,
weaving, carving, stitching, sewing, lacing, beading, drawing, and painting.
(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1) of this subsection, whenever
the Secretary determines that any species of fish or wildlife which is subject to tak­
ing under the provisions of this subsection is an endangered species or threatened
species, and that such taking materially and negatively affects the threatened or
endangered species, he may prescribe regulations upon the taking of such species
by any such Indian, Aleut, Eskimo, or non-Native Alaskan resident of an Alaskan
native village. Such regulations may be established with reference to species, geo­
graphical description of the area included, the season for taking, or any other fac­
tors related to the reason for establishing such regulations and consistent with the
policy of this Act. Such regulations shall be prescribed after a notice and hearings in
the affected judicial districts of Alaska and as otherwise required by section 103 of
the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, and shall be removed as soon as the Sec­
retary determines that the need for their impositions has disappeared.
(f)(1) As used in this subsection—
(A) The term “pre-Act endangered species part” means—
(i) any sperm whale oil, including derivatives thereof, which was lawfully

31

held within the United States on December 28, 1973, in the course of a commer­
cial activity; or
(ii) any finished scrimshaw product, if such product or the raw material for
such product was lawfully held within the United States on December 28,
1973, in the course of a commercial activity.
(B) The term “scrimshaw product” means any art form which involves the
substantial etching or engraving of designs upon, or the substantial carving of
figures, patterns, or designs from, any bone or tooth of any marine mammal of
the order Cetacea. For purposes of this subsection, polishing or the adding of
minor superficial markings does not constitute substantial etching, engraving,
or carving.
(2) The Secretary, pursuant to the provisions of this subsection, may exempt, if
such exemption is not in violation of the Convention, any pre-Act endangered spe­
cies part from one or more of the following prohibitions:
(A) The prohibition on exportation from the United States set forth in section
9(a)(1)(A) of this Act.
(B) Any prohibition set forth in section 9(a)(1)(E) or (F) of this Act.
(3) Any person seeking an exemption described in paragraph (2) of this subsec­
tion shall make application therefor to the Secretary in such form and manner as he
shall prescribe, but no such application may be considered by the Secretary unless
the application—
(A) is received by the Secretary before the close of the one-year period begin­
ning on the date on which regulations promulgated by the Secretary to carry
out this subsection first take effect;
(B) contains a complete and detailed inventory of all pre-Act endangered spe­
cies parts for which the applicant seeks exemption;
(C) is accompanied by such documentation as the Secretary may require to
prove that any endangered species part or product claimed by the applicant to
be a pre-Act endangered species part is in fact such a part; and
(D) contains such other information as the Secretary deems necessary and
appropriate to carry out the purposes of this subsection.
(4) If the Secretary approves any application for exemption made under this sub­
section, he shall issue to the applicant a certificate of exemption which shall specify—
(A) any prohibition in section 9(a) of this Act which is exempted;
(B) the pre-Act endangered species parts to which the exemption applies;
(C) the period of time during which the exemption is in effect, but no exemp­
tion made under this subsection shall have force and effect after the close of the
three-year period beginning on the date of issuance of the certificate unless
such exemption is renewed under paragraph (8); and
(D) any term or condition prescribed pursuant to paragraph (5)(A) or (B), or
both, which the Secretary deems necessary or appropriate.
(5) The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as he deems necessary and
appropriate to carry out the purposes of this subsection. Such regulations may set
forth—
(A) terms and conditions which may be imposed on applicants for exemptions
under this subsection (including, but not limited to, requirements that applicants
register inventories, keep complete sales records, permit duly authorized agents
of the Secretary to inspect such inventories and records, and periodically file ap­
propriate reports with the Secretary); and

32

(B) terms and conditions which may be imposed on any subsequent purchaser
of any pre-Act endangered species part covered by an exemption granted un­
der this subsection;
to insure that any such part so exempted is adequately accounted for and not dis­
posed of contrary to the provisions of this Act. No regulation prescribed by the
Secretary to carry out the purposes of this subsection shall be subject to section
4(f)(2)(A)(i) of this Act.
(6)(A) Any contract for the sale of pre-Act endangered species parts which is en­
tered into by the Administrator of General Services prior to the effective date of this
subsection and pursuant to the notice published in the Federal Register on January
9, 1973, shall not be rendered invalid by virtue of the fact that fulfillment of such
contract may be prohibited under section 9(a)(1)(F).
(B) In the event that this paragraph is held invalid, the validity of the remainder of
the Act, including the remainder of this subsection, shall not be affected.
(7) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to—
(A) exonerate any person from any act committed in violation of paragraphs
(1)(A), (1)(E), or (1)(F) of section 9(a) prior to the date of enactment of this
subsection; or
(B) immunize any person from prosecution for any such act.
(8)(A)(i) Any valid certificate of exemption which was renewed after October 13,
1982, and was in effect on March 31, 1988, shall be deemed to be renewed for a sixmonth period beginning on the date of enactment of the Endangered Species Act
Amendments of 1988. Any person holding such a certificate may apply to the Secre­
tary for one additional renewal of such certificate for a period not to exceed 5 years
beginning on the date of such enactment.
(B) If the Secretary approves any application for renewal of an exemption under
this paragraph, he shall issue to the applicant a certificate of renewal of such exemp­
tion which shall provide that all terms, conditions, prohibitions, and other regula­
tions made applicable by the previous certificate shall remain in effect during the
period of the renewal.
(C) No exemption or renewal of such exemption made under this subsection shall
have force and effect after the expiration date of the certificate of renewal of such
exemption issued under this paragraph.
(D) No person may, after January 31, 1984, sell or offer for sale in interstate or
foreign commerce, any pre-Act finished scrimshaw product unless such person holds
a valid certificate of exemption issued by the Secretary under this subsection, and
unless such product or the raw material for such product was held by such person on
October 13, 1982.
(g) In connection with any action alleging a violation of section 9, any person claim­
ing the benefit of any exemption or permit under this Act shall have the burden of
proving that the exemption or permit is applicable, has been granted, and was valid
and in force at the time of the alleged violation.
(h) CERTAIN ANTIQUE ARTICLES.—(1) Sections 4(d), 9(a), and 9(c) do not apply to
any article which—
(A) is not less than 100 years of age;
(B) is composed in whole or in part of any endangered species or threatened
species listed under section 4;
(C) has not been repaired or modified with any part of any such species on or
after the date of the enactment of this Act; and

33

(D) is entered at a port designated under paragraph (3).
(2) Any person who wishes to import an article under the exception provided by
this subsection shall submit to the customs officer concerned at the time of entry of
the article such documentation as the Secretary of the Treasury, after consultation
with the Secretary of the Interior, shall by regulation require as being necessary to
establish that the article meets the requirements set forth in paragraph (1)(A), (B),
and (C).
(3) The Secretary of the Treasury, after consultation with the Secretary of the
Interior, shall designate one port within each customs region at which articles de­
scribed in paragraph (1)(A), (B), and (C) must be entered into the customs territory
of the United States.
(4) Any person who imported, after December 27, 1973, and on or before the date
of the enactment of the Endangered Species Act Amendments of 1978, any article
described in paragraph (1) which—
(A) was not repaired or modified after the date of importation with any part
of any endangered species or threatened species listed under section 4;
(B) was forfeited to the United States before such date of the enactment, or is
subject to forfeiture to the United States on such date of enactment, pursuant to
the assessment of a civil penalty under section 11; and
(C) is in the custody of the United States on such date of enactment;
may, before the close of the one-year period beginning on such date of enactment,
make application to the Secretary for return of the article. Application shall be made
in such form and manner, and contain such documentation, as the Secretary pre­
scribes. If on the basis of any such application which is timely filed, the Secretary is
satisfied that the requirements of this paragraph are met with respect to the article
concerned, the Secretary shall return the article to the applicant and the importa­
tion of such article shall, on and after the date of return, be deemed to be a lawful
importation under this Act.
(i) NONCOMMERCIAL TRANSSHIPMENTS.—Any importation into the United States of
fish or wildlife shall, if—
(1) such fish or wildlife was lawfully taken and exported from the country of
origin and country of reexport, if any;
(2) such fish or wildlife is in transit or transshipment through any place sub­
ject to the jurisdiction of the United States en route to a country where such fish
or wildlife may be lawfully imported and received;
(3) the exporter or owner of such fish or wildlife gave explicit instructions not
to ship such fish or wildlife through any place subject to the jurisdiction of the
United States, or did all that could have reasonably been done to prevent trans­
shipment, and the circumstances leading to the transshipment were beyond the
exporter’s or owner’s control;
(4) the applicable requirements of the Convention have been satisfied; and
(5) such importation is not made in the course of a commercial activity,
be an importation not in violation of any provision of this Act or any regulation issued
pursuant to this Act while such fish or wildlife remains in the control of the United
States Customs Service.
(j) EXPERIMENTAL POPULATIONS.—(1) For purposes of this subsection, the term “ex­
perimental population” means any population (including any offspring arising solely
therefrom) authorized by the Secretary for release under paragraph (2), but only when,

34

and at such times as, the population is wholly separate geographically from
nonexperimental populations of the same species.
(2)(A) The Secretary may authorize the release (and the related transportation) of
any population (including eggs, propagules, or individuals) of an endangered species
or a threatened species outside the current range of such species if the Secretary
determines that such release will further the conservation of such species.
(B) Before authorizing the release of any population under subparagraph (A), the
Secretary shall by regulation identify the population and determine, on the basis of
the best available information, whether or not such population is essential to the
continued existence of an endangered species or a threatened species.
(C) For the purposes of this Act, each member of an experimental population shall
be treated as a threatened species; except that—
(i) solely for purposes of section 7 (other than subsection (a)(1) thereof), an
experimental population determined under subparagraph (B) to be not essen­
tial to the continued existence of a species shall be treated, except when it oc­
curs in an area within the National Wildlife Refuge System or the National Park
System, as a species proposed to be listed under section 4; and
(ii) critical habitat shall not be designated under this Act for any experimental
population determined under subparagraph (B) to be not essential to the con­
tinued existence of a species.
(3) The Secretary, with respect to populations of endangered species or threat­
ened species that the Secretary authorized, before the date of the enactment of this
subsection, for release in geographical areas separate from the other populations of
such species, shall determine by regulation which of such populations are an experi­
mental population for the purposes of this subsection and whether or not each is
essential to the continued existence of an endangered species or a threatened spe­
cies.
PENALTIES AND ENFORCEMENT

SEC. 11. (a) CIVIL PENALTIES.— (1) Any person who knowingly violates, and any
person engaged in business as an importer or exporter of fish, wildlife, or plants
who violates, any provision of this Act, or any provision of any permit or certificate
issued hereunder, or of any regulation issued in order to implement subsection
(a)(1)(A), (B), (C), (D), (E), or (F), (a)(2)(A), (B), (C), or (D), (c), (d) (other than regu­
lation relating to recordkeeping or filing of reports), (f) or (g) of section 9 of this Act,
may be assessed a civil penalty by the Secretary of not more than $ 25,000 for each
violation. Any person who knowingly violates, and any person engaged in business
as an importer or exporter of fish, wildlife, or plants who violates, any provision of
any other regulation issued under this Act may be assessed a civil penalty by the
Secretary of not more than $ 12,000 for each such violation. Any person who other­
wise violates any provision of this Act, or any regulation, permit, or certificate is­
sued hereunder, may be assessed a civil penalty by the Secretary of not more than $
500 for each such violation. No penalty may be assessed under this subsection unless
such person is given notice and opportunity for a hearing with respect to such viola­
tion. Each violation shall be a separate offense. Any such civil penalty may be remit­
ted or mitigated by the Secretary. Upon any failure to pay a penalty assessed under
this subsection, the Secretary may request the Attorney General to institute a civil
action in a district court of the United States for any district in which such person is

35

found, resides, or transacts business to collect the penalty and such court shall have
jurisdiction to hear and decide any such action. The court shall hear such action on
the record made before the Secretary and shall sustain his action if it is supported
by substantial evidence on the record considered as a whole.
(2) Hearings held during proceedings for the assessment of civil penalties autho­
rized by paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be conducted in accordance with sec­
tion 554 of title 5, United States Code. The Secretary may issue subpoenas for the
attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of relevant papers, books,
and documents, and administer oaths. Witnesses summoned shall be paid the same
fees and mileage that are paid to witnesses in the courts of the United States. In
case of contumacy or refusal to obey a subpoena served upon any person pursuant
to this paragraph, the district court of the United States for any district in which
such person is found or resides or transacts business, upon application by the United
States and after notice to such person, shall have jurisdiction to issue an order re­
quiring such person to appear and give testimony before the Secretary or to appear
and produce documents before the Secretary, or both, and any failure to obey such
order of the court may be punished by such court as a contempt thereof.
(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, no civil penalty shall be im­
posed if it can be shown by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant
committed an act based on a good faith belief that he was acting to protect himself
or herself, a member of his or her family, or any other individual from bodily harm,
from any endangered or threatened species.
(b) CRIMINAL VIOLATIONS.—(1) Any person who knowingly violates any provision
of this Act, of any permit or certificate issued hereunder, or of any regulation issued
in order to implement subsection (a)(1)(A), (B), (C), (D), (E), or (F); (a)(2)(A), (B),
(C), or (D), (c), (d) (other than a regulation relating to recordkeeping, or filing of
reports), (f), or (g) of section 9 of this Act shall, upon conviction, be fined not more
than $ 50,000 or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both. Any person who
knowingly violates any provision of any other regulation issued under this Act shall,
upon conviction, be fined not more than $ 25,000 or imprisoned for not more than six
months, or both.
(2) The head of any Federal agency which has issued a lease, license, permit, or
other agreement authorizing a person to import or export fish, wildlife, or plants, or
to operate a quarantine station for imported wildlife, or authorizing the use of Fed­
eral lands, including grazing of domestic livestock, to any person who is convicted of
a criminal violation of this Act or any regulation, permit, or certificate issued here­
under may immediately modify, suspend, or revoke each lease, license, permit, or
other agreement. The Secretary shall also suspend for a period of up to one year, or
cancel, any Federal hunting or fishing permits or stamps issued to any person who
is convicted of a criminal violation of any provision of this Act or any regulation,
permit, or certificate issued hereunder. The United States shall not be liable for the
payments of any compensation, reimbursement, or damages in connection with the
modification, suspension, or revocation of any leases, licenses, permits, stamps, or
other agreements pursuant to this section.
(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, it shall be a defense to prosecu­
tion under this subsection if the defendant committed the offense based on a good
faith belief that he was acting to protect himself or herself, a member of his or her
family, or any other individual, from bodily harm from any endangered or threatened
species.

36

(c) DISTRICT COURT JURISDICTION.—The several district courts of the United States,
including the courts enumerated in section 460 of title 28, United States Code, shall
have jurisdiction over any actions arising under this Act. For the purpose of this Act,
American Samoa shall be included within the judicial district of the District Court of
the United States for the District of Hawaii.
(d) REWARDS AND CERTAIN INCIDENTAL EXPENSES.—The Secretary or the Secre­
tary of the Treasury shall pay, from sums received as penalties, fines, or forfeitures
of property for any violation of this Act or any regulation issued hereunder (1) a
reward to any person who furnishes information which leads to an arrest, a criminal
conviction, civil penalty assessment, or forfeiture of property for any violation of
this Act or any regulation issued hereunder, and (2) the reasonable and necessary
costs incurred by any person in providing temporary care for any fish, wildlife, or
plant pending the disposition of any civil or criminal proceeding alleging a violation
of this Act with respect to that fish, wildlife, or plant. The amount of the reward, if
any, is to be designated by the Secretary or the Secretary of the Treasury, as appro­
priate. Any officer or employee of the United States or any State or local govern­
ment who furnishes information or renders service in the performance of his official
duties is ineligible for payment under this subsection. Whenever the balance of sums
received under this section and section 6(d) of the Act of November 16, 1981 (16
U.S.C. 3375(d)), as penalties or fines, or from forfeitures of property, exceed $ 500,000,
the Secretary of the Treasury shall deposit an amount equal to such excess balance
in the cooperative endangered species conservation fund established under section
6(i) of this Act.
(e) ENFORCEMENT.—(1) The provisions of this Act and any regulations or permits
issued pursuant thereto shall be enforced by the Secretary, the Secretary of the
Treasury, or the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operat­
ing, or all such Secretaries. Each such Secretary may utilize by agreement, with or
without reimbursement, the personnel, services, and facilities of any other Federal
agency or any State agency for purposes of enforcing this Act.
(2) The judges of the district courts of the United States and the United States
magistrates may, within their respective jurisdictions, upon proper oath or affirma­
tion showing probable cause, issue such warrants or other process as may be re­
quired for enforcement of this Act and any regulation issued thereunder.
(3) Any person authorized by the Secretary, the Secretary of the Treasury, or the
Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating, to enforce this
Act may detain for inspection and inspect any package, crate, or other container,
including its contents, and all accompanying documents, upon importation or expor­
tation. Such person may make arrests without a warrant for any violation of this Act
if he has reasonable grounds to believe that the person to be arrested is committing
the violation in his presence or view, and may execute and serve any arrest warrant,
search warrant, or other warrant or civil or criminal process issued by any officer or
court of competent jurisdiction for enforcement of this Act. Such person so autho­
rized may search and seize, with or without a warrant, as authorized by law. Any
fish, wildlife, property, or item so seized shall be held by any person authorized by
the Secretary, the Secretary of the Treasury, or the Secretary of the Department in
which the Coast Guard is operating pending disposition of civil or criminal proceed­
ings, or the institution of an action in rem for forfeiture of such fish, wildlife, prop­
erty, or item pursuant to paragraph (4) of this subsection; except that the Secretary
may, in lieu of holding such fish, wildlife, property, or item, permit the owner or con­

37

signee to post a bond or other surety satisfactory to the Secretary, but upon forfeiture
of any such property to the United States, or the abandonment or waiver of any claim
to any such property, it shall be disposed of (other than by sale to the general public)
by the Secretary in such a manner, consistent with the purposes of this Act, as the
Secretary shall by regulation prescribe.
(4)(A) All fish or wildlife or plants taken, possessed, sold, purchased, offered for
sale or purchase, transported, delivered, received, carried, shipped, exported, or
imported contrary to the provisions of this Act, any regulation made pursuant thereto,
or any permit or certificate issued hereunder shall be subject to forfeiture to the
United States.
(B) All guns, traps, nets, and other equipment, vessels, vehicles, aircraft, and other
means of transportation used to aid the taking, possessing, selling, purchasing, of­
fering for sale or purchase, transporting, delivering, receiving, carrying, shipping,
exporting, or importing of any fish or wildlife or plants in violation of this Act, any
regulation made pursuant thereto, or any permit or certificate issued thereunder
shall be subject to forfeiture to the United States upon conviction of a criminal vio­
lation pursuant to section 11(b)(1) of this Act.
(5) All provisions of law relating to the seizure, forfeiture, and condemnation of a
vessel for violation of the customs laws, the disposition of such vessel or the proceeds
from the sale thereof, and the remission or mitigation of such forfeiture, shall apply
to the seizures and forfeitures incurred, or alleged to have been incurred, under the
provisions of this Act, insofar as such provisions of law are applicable and not incon­
sistent with the provisions of this Act; except that all powers, rights, and duties
conferred or imposed by the customs laws upon any officer or employee of the Trea­
sury Department shall, for the purposes of this Act, be exercised or performed by
the Secretary or by such persons as he may designate.
(6) The Attorney General of the United States may seek to enjoin any person who
is alleged to be in violation of any provision of this Act or regulation issued under
authority thereof.
(f) REGULATIONS.—The Secretary, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the Secre­
tary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating, are authorized to
promulgate such regulations as may be appropriate to enforce this Act, and charge
reasonable fees for expenses to the Government connected with permits or certifi­
cates authorized by this Act including processing applications and reasonable in­
spections, and with the transfer, board, handling, or storage of fish or wildlife or
plants and evidentiary items seized and forfeited under this Act. All such fees col­
lected pursuant to this subsection shall be deposited in the Treasury to the credit of
the appropriation which is current and chargeable for the cost of furnishing the
services. Appropriated funds may be expended pending reimbursement from par­
ties in interest.
(g) CITIZEN SUITS.—(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection any
person may commence a civil suit on his own behalf—
(A) to enjoin any person, including the United States and any other governmental
instrumentality or agency (to the extent permitted by the eleventh amendment
to the Constitution), who is alleged to be in violation of any provision of this Act
or regulation issued under the authority thereof; or
(B) to compel the Secretary to apply, pursuant to section 6(g)(2)(B)(ii) of this
Act, the prohibitions set forth in or authorized pursuant to section 4(d) or section

38

9(a)(1)(B) of this Act with respect to the taking of any resident endangered spe­
cies or threatened species within any State; or
(C) against the Secretary where there is alleged a failure of the Secretary to
perform any act or duty under section 4 which is not discretionary with the
Secretary.
The district courts shall have jurisdiction, without regard to the amount in contro­
versy or the citizenship of the parties, to enforce any such provision or regulation, or
to order the Secretary to perform such act or duty, as the case may be. In any civil
suit commenced under subparagraph (B) the district court shall compel the Secre­
tary to apply the prohibition sought if the court finds that the allegation that an
emergency exists is supported by substantial evidence.
(2)(A) No action may be commenced under subparagraph (1)(A) of this
section—
(i) prior to sixty days after written notice of the violation has been given to the
Secretary, and to any alleged violator of any such provision or regulation;
(ii) if the Secretary has commenced action to impose a penalty pursuant to
subsection (a) of this section; or
(iii) if the United States has commenced and is diligently prosecuting a crimi­
nal action in a court of the United States or a State to redress a violation of any
such provision or regulation.
(B) No action may be commenced under subparagraph (1)(B) of this section—
(i) prior to sixty days after written notice has been given to the Secretary
setting forth the reasons why an emergency is thought to exist with respect to
an endangered species or a threatened species in the State concerned; or
(ii) if the Secretary has commenced and is diligently prosecuting action under
section 6(g)(2)(B)(ii) of this Act to determine whether any such emergency ex­
ists.
(C) No action may be commenced under subparagraph (1)(C) of this section prior
to sixty days after written notice has been given to the Secretary; except that such
action may be brought immediately after such notification in the case of an action
under this section respecting an emergency posing a significant risk to the well­
being of any species of fish or wildlife or plants.
(3)(A) Any suit under this subsection may be brought in the judicial district in
which the violation occurs.
(B) In any such suit under this subsection in which the United States is not a party,
the Attorney General, at the request of the Secretary, may intervene on behalf of
the United States as a matter of right.
(4) The court, in issuing any final order in any suit brought pursuant to paragraph
(1) of this subsection, may award costs of litigation (including reasonable attorney
and expert witness fees) to any party, whenever the court determines such award is
appropriate.
(5) The injunctive relief provided by this subsection shall not restrict any right
which any person (or class of persons) may have under any statute or common law
to seek enforcement of any standard or limitation or to seek any other relief (includ­
ing relief against the Secretary or a State agency).
(h) COORDINATION WITH OTHER LAWS.—The Secretary of Agriculture and the Sec­
retary shall provide for appropriate coordination of the administration of this Act
with the administration of the animal quarantine laws (as defined in section 2509(f)
of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (21 U.S.C. 136a(f)) and

39

section 306 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1306). Nothing in this Act or any amend­
ment made by this Act shall be construed as superseding or limiting in any manner
the functions of the Secretary of Agriculture under any other law relating to prohib­
ited or restricted importations or possession of animals and other articles and no pro­
ceeding or determination under this Act shall preclude any proceeding or be consid­
ered determinative of any issue of fact or law in any proceeding under any Act
administered by the Secretary of Agriculture. Nothing in this Act shall be construed
as superseding or limiting in any manner the functions and responsibilities of the
Secretary of the Treasury under the Tariff Act of 1930, including, without limitation,
section 527 of that Act (19 U.S.C. 1527), relating to the importation of wildlife taken,
killed, possessed, or exported to the United States in violation of the laws or regula­
tions of a foreign country.
ENDANGERED PLANTS

SEC. 12. The Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, in conjunction with other
affected agencies, is authorized and directed to review (1) species of plants which
are now or may become endangered or threatened and (2) methods of adequately
conserving such species, and to report to Congress, within one year after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the results of such review including recommendations for
new legislation or the amendment of existing legislation.
CONFORMING AMENDMENTS

SEC. 13. (a) Subsection 4(c) of the Act of October 15, 1966 (80 Stat. 928, 16 U.S.C.
668dd(c)), is further amended by revising the second sentence thereof to read as
follows: “With the exception of endangered species and threatened species listed by
the Secretary pursuant to section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 in States
wherein a cooperative agreement does not exist pursuant to section 6(c) of that Act,
nothing in this Act shall be construed to authorize the Secretary to control or regu­
late hunting or fishing of resident fish and wildlife on lands not within the system.”
(b) Subsection 10(a) of the Migratory Bird Conservation Act (45 Stat. 1224, 16
U.S.C. 715i(a)), and subsection 401(a) of the Act of June 15, 1935 (49 Stat. 383, 16
U.S.C. 715s(a)), are each amended by striking out “threatened with extinction,” and
inserting in lieu thereof the following: “listed pursuant to section 4 of the Endan­
gered Species Act of 1973 as endangered species or threatened species”.
(c) Section 7(a)(1) of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C.
4601-9(a)(1)) is amended by striking out:
“THREATENED SPECIES.—For any national area which may be authorized for
the preservation of species of fish or wildlife that are threatened with extinc­
tion.” and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
“ENDANGERED SPECIES AND THREATENED SPECIES.—For lands, waters, or in­
terests therein, the acquisition of which is authorized under section 5(a) of the
Endangered Species Act of 1973, needed for the purpose of conserving endan­
gered or threatened species of fish or wildlife or plants.”
(d) The first sentence of section 2 of the Act of September 28, 1962, as amended (76
Stat. 653, 16 U.S.C. 460k-1), is amended to read as follows:
“The Secretary is authorized to acquire areas of land, or interests therein, which
are suitable for—

40

“(1) incidental fish and wildlife-oriented recreational development,

“(2) the protection of natural resources,

“(3) the conservation of endangered species or threatened species listed by

the Secretary pursuant to section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, or
“(4) carrying out two or more of the purposes set forth in paragraphs (1)
through (3) of this section, and are adjacent to, or within, the said conservation
areas, except that the acquisition of any land or interest therein pursuant to this
section shall be accomplished only with such funds as may be appropriated there­
for by the Congress or donated for such purposes, but such property shall not
be acquired with funds obtained from the sale of Federal migratory bird hunt­
ing stamps.”
(e) The Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1361 - 1407) is amended—
(1) by striking out “Endangered Species Conservation Act of 1969” in section
3(l)(B) thereof and inserting in lieu thereof the following: “Endangered Species
Act of 1973”;
(2) by striking out “pursuant to the Endangered Species Conservation Act of
1969” in section 101(a)(3)(B) thereof and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
“or threatened species pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973”;
(3) by striking out “endangered under the Endangered Species Conservation
Act of 1969” in section 102(b)(3) thereof and inserting in lieu thereof the follow­
ing: “an endangered species or threatened species pursuant to the Endangered
Species Act of 1973”; and
(4) by striking out “of the Interior such revisions of the Endangered Species
List, authorized by the Endangered Species Conservation Act of 1969,” in sec­
tion 202(a)(6) thereof and inserting in lieu thereof the following: “such revisions
of the endangered species list and threatened species list published pursuant to
section 4(c)(1) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973”.
(f) Section 2(1) of the Federal Environmental Pesticide Control Act of 1972 (Public
Law 92-516) is amended by striking out the words “by the Secretary of the Interior
under Public Law 91-135” and inserting in lieu thereof the words “or threatened by
the Secretary pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973”.
REPEALER

SEC. 14. The Endangered Species Conservation Act of 1969 (sections 1 through 3
of the Act of October 15, 1966, and sections 1 through 6 of the Act of December 5,
1969; 16 U.S.C. 668aa—668cc-6), is repealed.
AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS

SEC. 15. (a) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subsections (b), (c), and (d), there
are authorized to be appropriated—
(1) not to exceed $ 35,000,000 for fiscal year 1988, $ 36,500,000 for fiscal year
1989, $38,000,000 for fiscal year 1990, $ 39,500,000 for fiscal year 1991, and
$ 41,500,000 for fiscal year 1992 to enable the Department of the Interior to carry
out such functions and responsibilities as it may have been given under this Act;
(2) not to exceed $ 5,750,000 for fiscal year 1988, $ 6,250,000 for each of fiscal
years 1989 and 1990, and $ 6,750,000 for each of fiscal years 1991 and 1992 to en­

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able the Department of Commerce to carry out such functions and responsibili­
ties as it may have been given under this Act; and
(3) not to exceed $ 2,200,000 for fiscal year 1988, $ 2,400,000 for each of fiscal
years 1989 and 1990, and $ 2,600,000 for each of fiscal years 1991 and 1992, to
enable the Department of Agriculture to carry out its functions and responsi­
bilities with respect to the enforcement of this Act and the Convention which
pertain to the importation or exportation of plants.
(b) EXEMPTIONS FROM ACT.—There are authorized to be appropriated to the Sec­
retary to assist him and the Endangered Species Committee in carrying out their
functions under sections 7(e), (g), and (h) not to exceed $ 600,000 for each of fiscal
years 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, and 1992.
(c) CONVENTION IMPLEMENTATION.—There are authorized to be appropriated to the
Department of the Interior for purposes of carrying out section 8A(e) not to exceed
$ 400,000 for each of fiscal years 1988, 1989, and 1990, and $ 500,000 for each of fiscal
years 1991 and 1992, and such sums shall remain available until expended.
EFFECTIVE DATE

SEC. 16. This Act shall take effect on the date of its enactment.
MARINE MAMMAL PROTECTION ACT OF 1972

SEC. 17. Except as otherwise provided in this Act, no provision of this Act shall
take precedence over any more restrictive conflicting provision of the Marine Mam­
mal Protection Act of 1972.
ANNUAL COST ANALYSIS BY THE FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

SEC. 18. Notwithstanding section 3003 of Public Law 104-66 (31 U.S.C. 1113 note;
109 Stat. 734), on or before January 15, 1990, and each January 15 thereafter, the
Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Fish and Wildlife Service, shall submit
to the Congress an annual report covering the preceding fiscal year which shall
contain—
(1) an accounting on a species by species basis of all reasonably identifiable
Federal expenditures made primarily for the conservation of endangered or
threatened species pursuant to this Act; and
(2) an accounting on a species by species basis of all reasonably identifiable
expenditures made primarily for the conservation of endangered or threatened
species pursuant to this Act by States receiving grants under section 6.