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ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973

[Public Law 93–205, Approved Dec. 28, 1973, 87 Stat. 884]
[As Amended Through P.L. 113–287, Enacted December 19, 2014]
øCurrency: This publication is a compilation of the text of Public Law 93-205. It was
last amended by the public law listed in the As Amended Through note above and
below at the bottom of each page of the pdf version and reflects current law
through the date of the enactment of the public law listed at https://
www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/comps/¿

øNote: While this publication does not represent an official version of any Federal
statute, substantial efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of its contents.
The official version of Federal law is found in the United States Statutes at Large
and in the United States Code. The legal effect to be given to the Statutes at
Large and the United States Code is established by statute (1 U.S.C. 112, 204).¿

AN ACT To provide for the conservation of endangered and threatened species of

fish, wildlife, and plants, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the

United States of America in Congress assembled, ø16 U.S.C. 1531
note¿ That this Act may be cited as the ‘‘Endangered Species Act
of 1973’’.
TABLE OF CONTENTS 1
Sec. 2. Findings, purposes, and policy.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
Sec. 4. Determination of endangered species and threatened species.
Sec. 5. Land acquisition.
Sec. 6. Cooperation with the States.
Sec. 7. Interagency cooperation.
Sec. 8. International cooperation.
Sec. 8A. Convention implementation.
Sec. 9. Prohibited acts.
Sec. 10. Exceptions.
Sec. 11. Penalties and enforcement.
Sec. 12. Endangered plants.
Sec. 13. Conforming amendments.
Sec. 14. Repealer.
Sec. 15. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 16. Effective date.
Sec. 17. Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972.
øSec. 18. Annual cost analysis by the Fish and Wildlife Service.¿ 2

FINDINGS, PURPOSES, AND POLICY

SEC. 2. ø16 U.S.C. 1531¿ (a) FINDINGS.—The Congress finds

and declares that—
1 The word ‘‘CONTENTS’’ in the original public law appears in a larger typesize than is
represented in the printed version of this compiled statute. See volume 87 Stat. 884 of
the Statutes-At-Large for its actual typesize.
2 Bracketed material does not appear in Act. Sec. 1012 of P.L. 100–478, 102 Stat. 2314, October
7, 1988, added sec. 18 of the Act but did not conform the table of contents of the Act.
1
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Sec. 3 ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 2

(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 numbers that they are in danger of or threatened
with extinction;
(3) these species of fish, wildlife, and plants are of esthetic,
ecological, educational, historical, recreational, and scientific
value to the Nation and its people;
(4) the United States has pledged itself as a sovereign
state in the international 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 Endan-
gered 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 incen-
tives, to develop and maintain conservation programs which
meet national and international standards is a key to meeting
the Nation’s international commitments and to better safe-
guarding, 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 ecosystems upon which endangered species and
threatened species depend may be conserved, 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 Con-
gress that all Federal departments and agencies shall seek to con-
serve 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 Fed-
eral agencies shall cooperate with State and local agencies to re-
solve water resource issues in concert with conservation of endan-
gered species.
DEFINITIONS

SEC. 3. ø16 U.S.C. 1532¿ For the purposes of this Act—

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3 ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 Sec. 3

(1) The term ‘‘alternative courses of action’’ means all alter-

natives and thus is not limited to original project objectives and
agency jurisdiction.
(2) The term ‘‘commercial activity’’ means all activities of in-
dustry and trade, including, but not limited to, the buying or sell-
ing of commodities and activities conducted for the purpose of fa-
cilitating such buying and selling: Provided, however, That it does
not include exhibitions of commodities by museums or similar cul-
tural or historical organizations.
(3) The terms ‘‘conserve,’’‘‘conserving,’’ and ‘‘conservation’’ mean
to use and the use of all methods and procedures which are nec-
essary 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 ac-
quisition and maintenance, propagation, live trapping, and trans-
plantation, and, in the extraordinary case where population pres-
sures within a given ecosystem cannot be otherwise relieved, may
include regulated taking.
(4) The term ‘‘Convention’’ means the Convention on Inter-
national Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora,
signed on March 3, 1973, and the appendices thereto.
(5)(A) The term ‘‘critical habitat’’ for a threatened or endan-
gered 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 provi-
sions of section 4 of this Act, upon a determination by the Sec-
retary 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 subpara-
graph (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 threatened or endangered species.
(6) The term ‘‘endangered species’’ means any species which is
in danger of extinction 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 provi-
sions of this Act would present an overwhelming and overriding
risk to man.
(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 ani-
mal kingdom, including without limitation any mammal, fish, bird
(including any migratory, nonmigratory, or endangered bird for
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Sec. 3 ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 4

which protection is also afforded by treaty or other international

agreement), amphibian, reptile, mollusk, crustacean, arthropod or
other invertebrate, 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 per-
son in a foreign country; 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 intro-
duce 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 importa-
tion within the meaning of the customs laws of the United States.
ø(11) Repealed by section 4(b) of P.L. 97–304, 96 Stat. 1420.¿
(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 person whose application to such
agency for a permit or license has been denied primarily because
of the application of section 7(a) to such agency action.
(13) The term ‘‘person’’ means an individual, corporation, part-
nership, trust, association, or any other private entity; or any offi-
cer, 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 king-
dom, including seeds, roots and other parts thereof.
(15) The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means, except as otherwise herein
provided, the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Com-
merce as program responsibilities are vested pursuant to the provi-
sions of Reorganization Plan Numbered 4 of 1970; except that with
respect to the enforcement of the provisions of this Act and the
Convention which pertain to the importation or exportation of ter-
restrial plants, the term also means the Secretary of Agriculture.
(16) The term ‘‘species’’ includes any subspecies of fish or wild-
life 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 Dis-
trict 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, depart-
ment, board, commission, or other governmental entity which is re-
sponsible 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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5 ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 Sec. 4

(20) The term ‘‘threatened species’’ means any species which is

likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable fu-
ture throughout all or a significant portion 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. ø16 U.S.C. 1533¿ (a) GENERAL.—(1) The Secretary shall

by regulation promulgated in accordance with subsection (b) deter-
mine 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 contin-
ued existence.
(2) With respect to any species over which program responsibil-
ities 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 deter-
mines 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 species, 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 deter-
mines 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 species, he shall recommend such action to
the Secretary of the Interior, and the Secretary of the Inte-
rior, if he concurs in the recommendation, shall implement
such action; and
(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 deter-
minable—
(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, re-
vise such designation.
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Sec. 4 ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 6

(B)(i) The Secretary shall not designate as critical habitat any

lands or other geographical areas owned or controlled by the De-
partment of Defense, or designated for its use, that are subject to
an integrated natural resources management plan prepared under
section 101 of the Sikes Act (16 U.S.C. 670a), if the Secretary de-
termines 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 con-
sult under section 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 De-
partment of Defense to comply with section 9, including the prohi-
bition preventing extinction 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 commercial data available to him
after conducting a review of the status of the species and after tak-
ing into account those efforts, if any, being made by any State or
foreign nation, or any political subdivision of a State or foreign na-
tion, to protect such species, whether by predator control, protec-
tion 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 consid-
eration to species which have been—
(i) designated as requiring protection from unrestricted
commerce by any foreign nation, or pursuant to any inter-
national 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 conserva-
tion of fish or wildlife or plants.
(2) The Secretary shall designate critical habitat, and make re-
visions thereto, under subsection (a)(3) on the basis of the best sci-
entific data available and after taking into consideration the eco-
nomic impact, the impact on national security, and any other rel-
evant impact, of specifying any particular area as critical habitat.
The Secretary may exclude any area from critical habitat if he de-
termines that the benefits of such exclusion outweigh the benefits
of specifying such area as part of the critical habitat, unless he de-
termines, based on the best scientific and commercial data avail-
able, that the failure to designate such area as critical habitat will
result in the extinction of the species concerned.
(3)(A) To the maximum extent practicable, within 90 days after
receiving the petition 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 presents
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.
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7 ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 Sec. 4

(B) Within 12 months after receiving a petition that is found

under subparagraph (A) to present substantial information indi-
cating 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 Fed-
eral Register.
(ii) The petitioned action is warranted in which case the
Secretary shall promptly publish in the Federal Register a gen-
eral notice and the complete text of a proposed regulation to
implement such action in accordance with paragraph (5).
(iii) The petitioned action is warranted but that—
(I) the immediate proposal and timely promulgation of
a final regulation implementing the petitioned action in ac-
cordance with paragraphs (5) and (6) is precluded by pend-
ing proposals to determine whether any species is an en-
dangered species or a threatened species, and
(II) expeditious progress is being made to add quali-
fied species to either of the lists published under sub-
section (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 find-
ing in the Federal 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 resub-
mitted to the Secretary under subparagraph (A) on the date of such
finding and that presents substantial scientific or commercial infor-
mation 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 effec-
tively 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 3 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 petition of an interested person under section 553(e)
of title 5, United States Code, to revise a critical habitat designa-
tion, the Secretary shall make a finding as to whether the petition
presents substantial scientific information indicating that the revi-
sion may be warranted. The Secretary shall promptly publish such
finding in the Federal 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 warranted, the Secretary shall de-
termine how he intends to proceed with the requested revision, and
shall promptly publish notice of such intention in the Federal Reg-
ister.
3 So in law. Probably should be paragraph ‘‘(7)’’.
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Sec. 4 ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 8

(4) Except as provided in paragraphs (5) and (6) of this sub-

section, 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 determination, designation, or revision referred to
in subsection (a)(1) or (3), the Secretary 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 regulation in the Federal Register, and
(ii) give actual notice of the proposed regulation (in-
cluding 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 com-
ment of such agency, and each such jurisdiction, thereon;
(B) insofar as practical, and in cooperation with the Sec-
retary 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;
(C) give notice of the proposed regulation to such profes-
sional scientific organizations 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 regu-
lation if any person 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 pub-
lish in the Federal Register—
(i) if a determination as to whether a species is an endan-
gered 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 subparagraph (B)(i), or
(IV) notice that the proposed regulation is being with-
drawn under subparagraph (B)(ii), together with the find-
ing on which such withdrawal is based; or
(ii) subject to subparagraph (C), if a designation of critical
habitat is involved, either—
(I) a final regulation to implement such designation, or
(II) notice that such one-year period is being extended
under such subparagraph.
(B)(i) If the Secretary finds with respect to a proposed regula-
tion referred to in subparagraph (A)(i) that there is substantial dis-
agreement regarding the sufficiency or accuracy of the available
data relevant to the determination or revision concerned, the Sec-
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9 ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 Sec. 4

retary may extend the one-year period specified in subparagraph

(A) for not more than six months for purposes of soliciting addi-
tional data.
(ii) If a proposed regulation referred to in subparagraph (A)(i)
is not promulgated as a final regulation within such one-year pe-
riod (or longer period if extension under clause (i) applies) because
the Secretary finds that there is not sufficient evidence to justify
the action proposed by the regulation, the Secretary shall imme-
diately withdraw the regulation. The finding on which a with-
drawal is based shall be subject to judicial review. The Secretary
may not propose a regulation that has previously been withdrawn
under this clause unless he determines that sufficient new informa-
tion is available to warrant such proposal.
(iii) If the one-year period specified in subparagraph (A) is ex-
tended 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 with-
drawal is based.
(C) A final regulation designating critical habitat of an endan-
gered species or a threatened species shall be published concur-
rently with the final regulation implementing the determination
that such species is endangered or threatened, unless the Secretary
deems that—
(i) it is essential to the conservation of such species that
the regulation implementing such determination be promptly
published; or
(ii) critical habitat of such species is not then deter-
minable, in which case the Secretary, with respect to the pro-
posed regulation to designate such habitat, 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 addi-
tional year the Secretary must publish a final regulation,
based on such data as may be available at that time, desig-
nating, to the maximum extent prudent, such habitat.
(7) Neither paragraph (4), (5), or (6) of this subsection nor sec-
tion 553 of title 5, United States Code, shall apply to any regula-
tion issued by the Secretary in regard to any emergency posing a
significant risk to the well-being of any species of fish and wildlife
or plants, but only if—
(A) at the time of publication of the regulation in the Fed-
eral Register the Secretary publishes therein detailed reasons
why such regulation is necessary; 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 promulgated 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
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Sec. 4 ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 10

240-day period, the rulemaking procedures which would apply to

such regulation without regard to this paragraph are complied
with. If at any time after issuing an emergency regulation the Sec-
retary determines, on the basis of the best appropriate data avail-
able 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 rela-
tionship of such data to such regulation; and if such regulation des-
ignates or revises critical habitat, such summary shall, to the max-
imum extent practicable, also include a brief description and eval-
uation 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 Sec-
retary of Commerce to be endangered species and a list of all spe-
cies determined by him or the Secretary of Commerce to be threat-
ened species. Each list shall refer to the species contained therein
by scientific and common name or names, if any, specify with re-
spect to 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 determina-
tions, designations, and revisions made in accordance with sub-
sections (a) and (b).
(2) The Secretary shall—
(A) conduct, at least once every five years, a review of all
species included in a list which is published pursuant to para-
graph (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 ac-
cordance with the provisions of subsection (a) and (b).
(d) PROTECTIVE REGULATIONS.—Whenever any species is listed
as a threatened species pursuant to subsection (c) of this section,
the Secretary shall issue such regulations as he deems necessary
and advisable to provide for the conservation of such species. The
Secretary may by regulation prohibit with respect to any threat-
ened 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 re-
spect 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 pur-
suant to section 6(c) of this Act only to the extent that such regula-
tions have also been adopted by such State.
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11 ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 Sec. 4

(e) SIMILARITY OF APPEARANCE CASES.—The Secretary may, by

regulation of commerce or taking, and to the extent he deems ad-
visable, treat any species as an endangered species or threatened
species even through it is not listed pursuant to section 4 of this
Act if he finds that—
(A) such species so closely resembles in appearance, at the
point in question, a species which has been listed pursuant to
such section that enforcement personnel would have substan-
tial difficulty in attempting to differentiate between the listed
and unlisted species;
(B) the effect of this substantial difficulty is an additional
threat to an endangered or threatened species; and
(C) such treatment of an unlisted species will substantially
facilitate the enforcement and further the policy of this Act.
(f)(1) RECOVERY PLANS.—The Secretary shall develop and im-
plement plans (hereinafter in this subsection referred to as ‘‘recov-
ery plans’’) for the conservation and survival of endangered species
and threatened species listed pursuant to this section, 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 spe-
cies that are, or may be, in conflict with construction or other
development projects or other forms of economic activity; 4
(B) incorporate in each plan—
(i) a description of such site-specific management ac-
tions 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
(iii) estimates of the time required and the cost to
carry out those measures 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 Com-
mittee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the
Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries 5 of the House of
Representatives on the status of efforts to develop and implement
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 re-
vised recovery plan, provide public notice and an opportunity for
4 So
in law. Probably should be ‘‘; and’’.
5 The reference to ‘‘the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries’’ probably should refer
to ‘‘the Committee on Resources’’.
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Sec. 5 ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 12

public review and comment on such plan. The Secretary shall con-
sider all information presented during the public comment period
prior to approval of the plan.
(5) Each Federal agency shall, prior to implementation of a
new or revised recovery plan, consider all information presented
during the public comment period under 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 6 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 Federal 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 submitted 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 spe-
cies that should receive priority review under subsection (a)(1)
of the section; and
(4) a system for developing and implementing, on a pri-
ority 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 guideline (including any
amendment thereto) proposed to be established under this sub-
section.
(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 pur-
suant to an action petitioned by a State agency under subsection
(b)(3), the Secretary shall submit to the State agency a written jus-
tification for his failure to adopt regulations consistent with the
agency’s comments or petition.
LAND ACQUISITION

SEC. 5. (a) ø16 U.S.C. 1534¿ PROGRAM.—The Secretary, and

the Secretary of Agriculture with respect 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—
6 So in law. Probably should be paragraph ‘‘(7)’’.
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13 ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 Sec. 6

(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 oth-
erwise, lands, waters, or interest therein, and such authority
shall be in addition to any other land acquisition vested in
him.
(b) ACQUISITIONS.—Funds made available pursuant to chapter
2003 of title 54, United States Code, may be used for the purpose
of acquiring lands, waters, or interests therein under subsection (a)
of this section.
COOPERATION WITH THE STATES

SEC. 6. ø16 U.S.C. 1535¿ (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 acquir-
ing any land or water, or interest therein, for the purpose of con-
serving 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 administra-
tion 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)(1) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.—In furtherance of the pur-
poses of this Act, the Secretary is authorized to enter into a cooper-
ative 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 as-
sisting in implementation of the State program. In order for a State
program to be deemed an adequate and active program for the con-
servation of endangered species and threatened species, the Sec-
retary must find, and annually thereafter reconfirm such finding,
that under the State program—
(A) authority resides in the State agency to conserve resi-
dent 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 conserva-
tion programs, consistent with the purposes and policies of this
Act, for all resident species of fish or wildlife 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 to-
gether with all pertinent details, information, and data re-
quested to the Secretary;
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Sec. 6 ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 14

(C) the State agency is authorized to conduct investiga-

tions 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 acquisition of land or aquatic habitat or interests
therein, for the conservation of resident endangered or threat-
ened species of fish or wildlife; and
(E) provision is made for public participation in desig-
nating resident species of fish or wildlife as endangered or
threatened; or
that under the State program—
(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 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 program is deemed adequate and active
pursuant to clause (i) and this clause shall not affect the appli-
cability 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 ac-
cordance 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 ade-
quate and active program for the conservation of endangered spe-
cies of plants and threatened species of plants, the Secretary must
find, and annually thereafter reconfirm such findings, that under
the State program—
(A) authority resides in the State agency to conserve resi-
dent species of plants determined by the State agency or the
Secretary to be endangered or threatened;
(B) the State agency has established acceptable conserva-
tion programs, consistent 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 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 investiga-
tions to determine the status and requirements for survival of
resident species of plants; and
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15 ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 Sec. 6

(D) provision is made for public participation in desig-

nating 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 paragraph are complied with, and
(ii) plans are included under which immediate atten-
tion will be given to 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 conserva-
tion programs; except that a cooperative agreement en-
tered 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 au-
thorized pursuant to section 4(d) or section 9(a)(1) with re-
spect to the taking of any resident endangered or threat-
ened species.
(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 pur-
suant to subsection (c) of this section to assist in development of
programs for the conservation of endangered and threatened spe-
cies or to assist in monitoring the status of candidate species pur-
suant 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 subsection
(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 consistent with the objectives and purposes of this
Act;
(C) the number of endangered species and threatened spe-
cies 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 endangered 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 pro-
visions of subsection (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 expenditure is authorized to be made available
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Sec. 6 ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 16

for expenditure by the Secretary in conducting programs under this

section.
(2) Such cooperative agreements shall provide for (A) the ac-
tions 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 estimated cost of these
actions; and (D) the share of such costs to be bore by the Federal
Government and by the States; except that—
(i) the Federal share of such program costs shall not ex-
ceed 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 species, the conservation of
which may be enhanced by cooperation of such States, enter
jointly into agreement with the Secretary.
The Secretary may, in his discretion, and under such rules and reg-
ulations as he may prescribe, advance funds to the State for financ-
ing the United States pro rata share agreed upon in the coopera-
tive 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 decision shall be final.
(e) REVIEW OF STATE PROGRAMS.—Any action taken by the Sec-
retary 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 foreign commerce in, endangered
species or threatened species is void to the extent that it may effec-
tively (1) permit what is prohibited by this Act or by any regulation
which implements this Act, or (2) prohibit what is authorized pur-
suant to an exemption 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 respecting 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 regulation which imple-
ments this Act but not less restrictive than the prohibitions so de-
fined.
(g) TRANSITION.—(1) For purposes of this subsection, the term
‘‘establishment period’’ means, with respect to any State, the period
beginning on the date of enactment 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 enactment, 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 sec-
tions 4(d) and 9(a)(1)(B) of this Act shall not apply with respect to
the taking of any resident endangered species or threatened species
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17 ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 Sec. 7

(other than species listed in Appendix I to the Convention or other-

wise 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 pursuant 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 spe-
cies 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 further extends such prohibition by publishing
notice and a statement of justification of such extension.
(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 sec-
tion for fiscal years after September 30, 1988, there shall be depos-
ited into a special fund known as the cooperative endangered spe-
cies conservation fund, to be administered by the Secretary, an
amount equal to five 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 Restora-
tion Account established under 1016 of the Act of July 18, 1984 7.
(2) Amounts deposited into the special fund are authorized to
be appropriated annually and allocated in accordance with sub-
section (d) of this section.
INTERAGENCY COOPERATION

SEC. 7. ø16 U.S.C. 1536¿ (a) FEDERAL AGENCY ACTIONS AND

CONSULTATIONS.—(1) The Secretary shall review other programs
administered by him and utilize such programs in furtherance of
the purposes of this Act. All other Federal agencies shall, in con-
sultation with and with the assistance of the Secretary, utilize
their authorities in furtherance of the purposes of this Act by car-
rying out programs for the conservation of endangered 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 jeopardize the con-
7 So in law. Probably should refer to the Sport Fish Restoration Account provided for in sec-
tion 9504(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 9504(a)(2)).
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Sec. 7 ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 18

tinued 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 prospec-
tive 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 implementa-
tion 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 sub-
section (d).
(b) OPINION OF SECRETARY.—(1)(A) Consultation under sub-
section (a)(2) with respect 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 li-
cense applicant, the Secretary and the Federal agency may not mu-
tually agree to conclude consultation within a period exceeding 90
days unless the Secretary, before the close of the 90th day referred
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 set-
ting 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 ex-
tend a consultation period established under the preceding sen-
tence 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 para-
graph (2) or (3) of subsection (a), the Secretary shall provide to the
Federal agency and the applicant, if any, a written statement set-
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19 ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 Sec. 7

ting forth the Secretary’s opinion, and a summary of the informa-

tion 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 sub-
section (a)(2) and can be taken by the Federal agency or applicant
in implementing the agency action.
(B) Consultation under subsection (a)(3), and an opinion based
by the Secretary incident to such consultation, regarding an agency
action shall be treated respectively as a consultation under sub-
section (a)(2), and as an opinion issued after consultation 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 oc-
curred regarding the information used during the initial consulta-
tion.
(4) If after consultation under subsection (a)(2) of this section,
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 subsection;
(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 ma-
rine 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 considers necessary or appropriate to minimize
such impact,
(iii) in the case of marine mammals, specifies those meas-
ures that are necessary to comply with section 101(a)(5) of the
Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 with regard to such
taking, and
(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 imple-
ment 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 con-
tract for construction has been entered into and for which no con-
struction has begun on the date of enactment of the Endangered
Species Act Amendments of 1978, request of the Secretary informa-
tion whether any species which is listed or proposed to be listed
may be present in the area of such proposed action. If the Sec-
retary advises, based on the best scientific and commercial data
available, that such species may be present, such agency shall con-
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Sec. 7 ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 20

duct a biological assessment for the purpose of identifying any en-

dangered species or threatened species which is likely to be af-
fected by such action. Such assessment shall be completed within
180 days after the date on which initiated (or within such other pe-
riod as in mutually agreed to by the Secretary and such agency, ex-
cept that if a permit or license applicant is involved, the 180-day
period may not be extended unless such agency provides the appli-
cant, before the close of such period, with a written statement set-
ting forth the estimated length of the proposed extension and the
reasons therefor) and, before any contract for construction is en-
tered into and before construction is begun with respect to such ac-
tion. Such assessment may be undertaken as part of a Federal
agency’s compliance with the requirements of section 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 biologi-
cal assessment to identify any endangered species or threatened
species which is likely to be affected by such action. Any such bio-
logical 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 initi-
ation of consultation required under subsection (a)(2), the Federal
agency and the permit or license applicant shall not make any irre-
versible or irretrievable commitment of resources with respect to
the agency action which has the effect of foreclosing the formula-
tion 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 sub-
section (h) of this section whether or not to grant an exemption
from the requirements of subsection (a)(2) of this action for the ac-
tion set forth in such application.
(3) The Committee shall be composed of seven members as fol-
lows:
(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. Agency. 8
(E) The Secretary of the Interior.
(F) The Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration.
(G) The President, after consideration of any recommenda-
tions received pursuant 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 consider-
ation of the application for exemption for an agency action with
8 So in law. At the end of section 7(e)(3)(D) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, the second
‘‘Agency.’’ should had been stricken.
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21 ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 Sec. 7

respect to which such recommendations are made, not later

than 30 days after an application 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 inter-
mittently in the Government service are allowed expenses under
section 5703 of title 5 of the United States Code 9
(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 con-
sidered in determining the existence of a quorum for the trans-
action 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 car-
rying 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 Committee may take any action which the Committee
is authorized to take by this paragraph.
(C) Subject to the Privacy Act, the Committee may secure di-
rectly from any Federal 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 request.
(8) In carrying out its duties under this section, the Committee
may promulgate and amend such rules, regulations, and proce-
dures, and issue and amend such orders 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 testi-
9 So in law. At the end of section 7(e)(4)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, the period
at end of the paragraph was omitted.
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Sec. 7 ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 22

mony of witnesses and the production of relevant papers, books,

and documents.
(10) In no case shall any representative, including a represent-
ative 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 en-
actment of the Endangered Species Act Amendments of 1978, the
Secretary shall promulgate regulations 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 appli-
cations. 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 subsection (a)(2) of this section between the head
of the Federal agency and the Secretary; and
(2) a statement describing why such action cannot be al-
tered or modified to conform with the requirements of sub-
section (a)(2) of this section.
(g) APPLICATION FOR EXEMPTION AND REPORT TO THE COM-
MITTEE.—(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 violate subsection (a)(2). An application for an exemp-
tion shall be considered initially by the Secretary in the manner
provided for in this subsection, and shall be considered by the Com-
mittee 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 applica-
tion to the Secretary, in a form prescribed under subsection (f), not
later than 90 days after the completion of the consultation process;
except that, in the case of any agency action involving 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 administrative
review, whether or not such disposition is subject to judicial review;
or (ii) if administrative review is sought with respect to such dis-
position, the decision resulting after such review. Such application
shall set forth the reasons why the exemption applicant considers
that the agency action meets the requirements for an exemption
under this subsection.
(B) Upon receipt of an application for exemption for an agency
action under paragraph (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 in-
dividuals 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
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23 ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 Sec. 7

the information contained in the application and a description of

the agency action with respect to which the application for exemp-
tion has been filed.
(3) The Secretary shall within 20 days after the receipt of an
application for exemption, or within such other period of time as
is mutually agreeable to the exemption applicant and the Sec-
retary—
(A) determine that the Federal agency concerned and the
exemption applicant have—
(i) carried out the consultation responsibilities de-
scribed in subsection (a) in good faith and made a reason-
able and responsible effort to develop and fairly consider
modifications or reasonable and prudent alternatives to
the proposed agency action which would not violate sub-
section (a)(2);
(ii) conducted any biological assessment required by
subsection (c); and
(iii) to the extent determinable within the time pro-
vided herein, refrained from making any irreversible or ir-
retrievable commitment of resources prohibited by sub-
section (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 subparagraph (A)(i), (ii), and (iii).
The denial of an application under subparagraph (B) shall be con-
sidered final agency action for purposes of chapter 7 of title 5,
United States Code.
(4) If the Secretary determines that the Federal agency con-
cerned and the exemption 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 applica-
tion 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 Sec-
retary shall submit to the Committee a report discussing—
(A) the availability and reasonable and prudent alter-
natives to the agency action, and the nature and extent of the
benefits of the agency action and of alternative courses of ac-
tion consistent with conserving the species or the critical habi-
tat;
(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 exemp-
tion applicant refrained from making any irreversible or irre-
trievable commitment of resources prohibited by subsection (d).
(6) To the extent practicable within the time required for ac-
tion under subsection (g) of this section, and except to the extent
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Sec. 7 ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 24

inconsistent with the requirements of this section, the consider-

ation of any application for an exemption under this section and
the conduct of any hearing under this subsection shall be in accord-
ance with sections 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 Secretary to assist him in car-
rying 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 deter-
mination 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 require-
ments 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 record of the hearing held under subsection
(g)(4), and on such other testimony or evidence as it may re-
ceive, 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 habitat, and such ac-
tion is in the public interest;
(iii) the action is of regional or national significance;
and
(iv) neither the Federal agency concerned nor the ex-
emption applicant made any irreversible or irretrievable
commitment of resources prohibited by subsection (d); and
(B) it establishes such reasonable mitigation and enhance-
ment measures, including, but not limited to, live propagation,
transplantation, and habitat acquisition and improvement, as
are necessary and appropriate to minimize the adverse effects
of the agency action upon the endangered species, threatened
species, or critical habitat concerned.
Any final determination by Committee under this subsection shall
be considered 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 threat-
ened species for the purposes of completing such agency action—
(i) regardless whether the species was identified in the bio-
logical 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 available, that such exemption would result
in the extinction of a species that was not the subject of con-
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25 ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 Sec. 7

sultation 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 Com-
mittee 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 application made to it, if the Sec-
retary 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 granting 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, pub-
lish a copy thereof in the Federal Register.
(j) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the Com-
mittee shall grant an exemption for any agency action if the Sec-
retary of Defense finds that such exemption is necessary for rea-
sons of national security.
(k) SPECIAL PROVISIONS.—An exemption decision by the Com-
mittee under this section shall not be a major Federal action for
purposes of the National Environmental 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
threatened species or their critical habitats shall have been pre-
viously 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 re-
spect to any agency action, the Committee shall issue an order
granting the exemption and specifying the mitigation and enhance-
ment measures established pursuant to subsection (h) which shall
be carried out and paid for by the exemption applicant in imple-
menting the agency action. All necessary mitigation and enhance-
ment measures shall be authorized prior to the implementing of
the agency action and funded concurrently 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 meas-
ures shall be paid by the applicant receiving the exemption. No
later than one year after the granting of an exemption, the exemp-
tion applicant shall submit to the Council on Environmental Qual-
ity a report describing its compliance with the mitigation and en-
hancement measures prescribed by this section. Such report shall
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Sec. 7 ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 26

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 deter-
mination of the Committee under subsection (h) of this section
granting an exemption from the requirements of subsection (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 Spe-
cies 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) EXEMPTION AS PROVIDING EXCEPTION ON TAKING OF ENDAN-
GERED SPECIES.—Notwithstanding sections 4(d) and 9(a)(1)(B) and
(C) of this Act, sections 101 and 102 of the Marine Mammal Protec-
tion Act of 1972, or any regulation promulgated to implement any
such section—
(1) any action for which an exemption is granted under
subsection (h) of this section 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 ac-
tion; and
(2) any taking that is in compliance with the terms and
conditions specified in a written statement provided under sub-
section (b)(4)(iv) of this section 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 determina-
tions required by subsections (g) and (h) of this section for any
project for the repair or replacement of a public facility substan-
tially 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 Committee
shall accept the determinations of the President under this sub-
section.
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27 ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 Sec. 8

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

SEC. 8. ø16 U.S.C. 1537¿ (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
Supplemental Appropriation Act, 1953 (31 U.S.C. 724), use foreign
currencies accruing to the United States Government under the
Food for Peace Act or any other law to provide to any foreign coun-
ty (with its consent) assistance in the development and manage-
ment of programs in that country 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 other-
wise, 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 pro-
vision 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 encourage—
(1) foreign countries to provide for the conservation of fish
or wildlife and plants including endangered species and threat-
ened species listed pursuant to section 4 of this Act;
(2) the entering into of bilateral or multilateral agreements
with foreign countries 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 em-
ployee of his department for the purpose of cooperating with
foreign countries and international organizations in developing
personnel resources and programs which promote the conserva-
tion of fish or wildlife or plants, and
(2) conduct or provide financial assistance for the edu-
cational training of foreign 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 Secretary of the Treasury, as appropriate, the Sec-
retary 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.
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Sec. 8A ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 28

CONVENTION IMPLEMENTATION

SEC. 8A. ø16 U.S.C. 1537a¿ (a) MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY AND

SCIENTIFIC AUTHORITY.—The Secretary of the Interior (hereinafter
in this section referred to as the ‘‘Secretary’’) is designated 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 necessary and appropriate to carry out the functions
of the Management Authority under the Convention.
(c) SCIENTIFIC AUTHORITY FUNCTIONS.—(1) The Secretary shall
do all things necessary 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 biological information derived from
professionally accepted wildlife management practices; but is not
required to make, or require any State to make, estimates of popu-
lation size in making such determinations or giving such advice.
(d) RESERVATIONS BY THE UNITED STATES UNDER CONVEN-
TION.—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 re-
spect 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 Fish-
eries 10 of the House of Representatives, and to the Committee 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 re-
ferred to as the ‘‘Secretary’’), in cooperation 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
Wildlife 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 Sec-
retary and the Secretary of State shall consult with the Secretary
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 coopera-
tion with the contracting parties to the Western Convention and,
to the extent feasible and appropriate, with the participation of
State agencies, take such steps as are necessary to implement the
Western Convention. Such steps shall include, but not be limited
to—
(A) cooperation with contracting parties and international
organizations for the purpose of developing personnel resources
10 The reference to ‘‘the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries’’ in subsection (f)(3)
probably should refer to ‘‘the Committee on Resources’’.
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29 ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 Sec. 9

and programs that will facilitate implementation of the West-

ern Convention;
(B) identification of those species of birds that migrate be-
tween the United States and other contracting parties, and the
habitats upon which those species depend, and the implemen-
tation of cooperative measures to ensure that such species will
not become endangered or threatened; and
(C) identification of measures that are necessary and ap-
propriate to implement those provisions of the Western Con-
vention 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 sub-
section and identifying the principal remaining actions yet nec-
essary for comprehensive and effective implementation of the West-
ern Convention.
(4) The provisions of this subsection shall not be construed as
affecting the authority, 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. ø16 U.S.C. 1538¿ (a) GENERAL.—(1) Except as provided

in sections 6(g)(2) and 10 of this Act, with respect to any endan-
gered 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 spe-
cies 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 sub-
paragraphs (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 species of fish or wildlife listed pursuant to sec-
tion 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 spe-
cies from, the United States;
(B) remove and reduce to possession any such species from
areas under Federal jurisdiction; maliciously damage or de-
stroy any such species on any such area; or remove, cut, dig
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Sec. 9 ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 30

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;
(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 author-
ity provided by this Act.
(b)(1) SPECIES HELD IN CAPTIVITY OR CONTROLLED ENVIRON-
MENT.—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
regulation 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 wild-
life 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 sec-
tion 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 pub-
lished 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 sub-
section.
(2)(A) The provisions of subsections (a)(1) shall not apply to—
(i) any raptor legally held in captivity or in a controlled en-
vironment 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 re-
turned to a wild state.
(B) Any person holding any raptor or progeny described in sub-
paragraph (A) must be able to demonstrate that the raptor or prog-
eny 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
regulation require as being reasonably appropriate to carry out the
purposes of this paragraph. Such requirements shall not unneces-
sarily duplicate the requirements of other rules and regulations
promulgated by the Secretary.
(c) VIOLATION OF CONVENTION.—(1) It is unlawful for any per-
son subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to engage in any
trade in any specimens contrary to the provisions of the Conven-
tion, 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—
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31 ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 Sec. 9

(A) such fish or wildlife is not an endangered species listed

pursuant to section 4 of this Act but is listed in Appendix II
of 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 Convention have been satisfied;
(C) the applicable requirements of subsection (d), (e), and
(f) of this section have been satisfied; and
(D) such importation is not made in the course of a com-
mercial 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.—
(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 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; or
(B) as an importer or exporter of any amount of raw
or worked African elephant ivory.
(2) REQUIREMENTS.—Any person required to obtain permis-
sion under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall—
(A) keep such records as will fully and correctly dis-
close 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 au-
thorized representative of the Secretary, afford such rep-
resentative access to his place of business, 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 reg-
ulations as are necessary and appropriate to carry out the pur-
poses of this subsection.
(4) RESTRICTION ON CONSIDERATION OF VALUE OF 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 ex-
porting fish or wildlife (other than shellfish and fishery products
which (1) are not listed pursuant to section 4 of this Act as endan-
gered or threatened species, and (2) are imported for purposes of
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Sec. 10 ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 32

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 to fail to file any declaration or report as the
Secretary deems necessary to facilitate enforcement 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 jurisdiction of the United States to import into or ex-
port from the United States any fish or wildlife (other than shell-
fish and fishery products which (A) are not listed pursuant to sec-
tion 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 pur-
poses of facilitating enforcement of this Act and reducing the costs
thereof, the Secretary of the Interior, with approval of the Sec-
retary of the Treasury and after notice and opportunity for public
hearing, may, by regulation, designate ports and change such des-
ignations. The Secretary of the Interior, under such terms and con-
ditions as he may prescribe, may permit the importation or expor-
tation at nondesignated ports in the interest of the health or safety
of the fish or wildlife or plants, or for other reasons if, in his discre-
tion, 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) 11, 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 an-
other to commit, or cause to be committed, any offense defined in
this section.
EXCEPTIONS

SEC. 10. ø16 U.S.C. 1539¿ (a) PERMITS.—(1) The Secretary may
permit, under such terms and conditions as he shall prescribe—
(A) any act otherwise prohibited by section 9 for scientific
purposes or to enhance the propagation or survival of the af-
fected species, including, but not limited to, acts necessary for
the establishment and maintenance of experimental popu-
lations pursuant to subsection (j); or
(B) any taking otherwise prohibited by section 9(a)(1)(B) if
such taking is incidental to, and not the purpose of, the car-
rying out of an otherwise lawful activity.
(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 conservation plan that speci-
fies—
(i) the impact which will likely result from such taking;
11 Section 4(d) of such Act was repealed by section 14 of Public Law 93–205 (87 Stat. 903).
Also, there should be a closing parenthesis.
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33 ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 Sec. 10

(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 com-
ment, with respect to a permit application and the related con-
servation plan that—
(i) the taking will be incidental;
(ii) the applicant will, to the maximum extent practicable,
minimize and mitigate the impacts of such taking;
(iii) the applicant will ensure that adequate funding for
the plan will be provided;
(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 Sec-
retary deems necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of
this paragraph, including, but not limited to, such reporting re-
quirements as the Secretary deems necessary for determining
whether such terms and conditions are being complied with.
(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 Federal Register of notice of con-
sideration of that species as an endangered species and the subse-
quent listing of that species as an endangered species pursuant to
section 4 of this Act will cause undue hardship to such person
under the contract, the Secretary, in order to minimize such hard-
ship, may exempt such person from the application of section 9(a)
of this Act to the extent the Secretary deems appropriate if such
person applies to him for such exemption and includes with such
application such information as the Secretary may require to prove
such hardship; except that (A) no such exemption shall be for a du-
ration of more than one year from the date of publication in the
Federal Register of notice of consideration of the species 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 importa-
tion or exportation of a specimen listed in Appendix I of the Con-
vention which is to be used in a commercial activity.
(2) As used in this subsection, the term ‘‘undue economic hard-
ship’’ shall include, but not be limited to:
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Sec. 10 ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 34

(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 spe-
cies 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 endan-
gered species, derived a substantial portion of their income
from the lawful taking of any listed species, which taking
would be made unlawful under this Act; or
(C) curtailment of subsistence taking made unlawful under
this Act by persons (i) not reasonably able to secure other
sources of subsistence; and (ii) dependent to a substantial ex-
tent 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 show-
ing of undue economic hardship as he deems fit. Exceptions grant-
ed under this section may be limited by the Secretary in his discre-
tion as to time, area, or other factor of applicability.
(c) NOTICE AND REVIEW.—The Secretary shall publish notice in
the Federal Register of each application for an exemption or permit
which is made under this section. Each notice shall invite the sub-
mission 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 threatened and no reasonable alter-
native 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. Infor-
mation received by the Secretary as part of any application shall
be available to the public as a matter of public record at every
stage of the proceeding.
(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
species, 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 re-
spect to the taking of any endangered species or threatened spe-
cies, 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 Alaska native
village;
if such taking is primarily for subsistence purposes. Non-edible by-
products of species 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 sub-
section shall not apply to any non-native resident of an Alaskan
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35 ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 Sec. 10

native village found by the Secretary to be not primarily dependent

upon the taking of fish and wildlife for consumption or for the cre-
ation and sale of authentic native articles of handicrafts and cloth-
ing.
(2) Any taking under this subsection may not be accomplished
in a wasteful manner.
(3) As used in this subsection—
(i) The term ‘‘subsistence’’ includes selling any edible por-
tion of fish or wildlife in native villages and towns in Alaska
for native consumption within native villages or towns; and
(ii) 12 The term ‘‘authentic native articles of handicrafts and
clothing’’ means items composed wholly or in some significant re-
spect to 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 de-
vices. Traditional native handicrafts include, but are not limited to,
weaving, carving, stitching, sewing, lacing, beading, drawing, and
painting.
(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (l) of this sub-
section, whenever the Secretary determines that any species of fish
or wildlife which is subject to taking under the provisions of this
subsection is an endangered species or threatened species, and that
such taking materially and negatively affects the threatened or en-
dangered 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, geographical descrip-
tion of the area included, the season for taking, or any other factors
related to the reason for establishing such regulations and con-
sistent with the policy of this Act. Such regulations shall be pre-
scribed 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 Secretary 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 held within the United States on De-
cember 28, 1973, in the course of a commercial 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 add-
ing of minor superficial markings does not constitute substan-
tial etching, engraving, or carving.
12 So in law. Indentation of clause (ii) should be same as clause (i).
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Sec. 10 ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 36

(2) The Secretary, pursuant to the provisions of this subsection,

may exempt, if such exemption is not in violation of the Conven-
tion, any pre-Act endangered species 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 subsection shall make application therefor to the Sec-
retary in such form and manner as he shall prescribe, but no such
application may be considered by the Secretary unless the applica-
tion—
(A) is received by the Secretary before the close of the one-
year period beginning on the date on which regulations pro-
mulgated by the Secretary to carry out this subsection first
take effect;
(B) contains a complete and detailed inventory of all pre-
Act endangered species parts for which the applicant seeks ex-
emption;
(C) is accompanied by such documentation as the Sec-
retary 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 subsection, he shall issue to the applicant a cer-
tificate of exemption which shall specify—
(A) any prohibition in section 9(a) of this Act which is ex-
empted;
(B) the pre-Act endangered species parts to which the ex-
emption applies;
(C) the period of time during which the exemption is in ef-
fect, but no exemption made under this subsection shall have
force and effect after the close of the three-year period begin-
ning on the date of issuance of the certificate unless such ex-
emption is renewed under paragraph (8); and
(D) any term or condition prescribed pursuant to para-
graph (5) (A) or (B), or both, which the Secretary deems nec-
essary or appropriate.
(5) The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as he deems
necessary and appropriate to carry out the purposes of this sub-
section. Such regulations may set forth—
(A) terms and conditions which may be imposed on appli-
cants 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 peri-
odically file appropriate reports with the Secretary); and
(B) terms and conditions which may be imposed on any
subsequent purchaser of any pre-Act endangered species part
covered by an exemption granted under this subsection;
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37 ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 Sec. 10

to insure that any such part so exempted is adequately accounted

for and not disposed 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 entered into by the Administrator of General Serv-
ices 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 valid-
ity of the remainder of the Act, including the remainder of this sub-
section, shall not be affected.
(7) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to—
(A) exonerate any person from any act committed in viola-
tion 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) 13 Any valid certificate of exemption which was re-
newed after October 13, 1982, and was in effect on March 31, 1988,
shall be deemed to be renewed for a 6-month 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
Secretary 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 exemption which shall provide that
all terms, conditions, prohibitions, and other regulations made ap-
plicable 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 scrim-
shaw product unless such person holds a valid certificate of exemp-
tion issued by the Secretary under this subsection, and unless such
product or the raw material for such product was held by such per-
son on October 13, 1982.
(g) In connection with any action alleging a violation of section
9, any person claiming 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 spe-
cies or threatened species listed under section 4;
13 So in law. There is no clause (ii).
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Sec. 10 ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 38

(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
(D) is entered at a port designated under paragraph (3).
(2) Any person who wishes to import an article under the ex-
ception provided by this subsection shall submit to the customs of-
ficer concerned at the time of entry of the article such documenta-
tion as the Secretary of the Treasury, after consultation with the
Secretary of the Interior, shall by regulation require as being nec-
essary 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 cus-
toms region at which articles described 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 importa-
tion 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 prescribes. 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 arti-
cle to the applicant and the importation 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 subject 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 ex-
plicit 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;
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39 ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 Sec. 11

(4) the applicable requirements of the Convention have

been satisfied; and
(5) such importation is not made in the course of a com-
mercial 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 wild-
life remains in the control of the United States Customs Service.
(j) EXPERIMENTAL POPULATIONS.—(1) For purposes of this sub-
section, the term ‘‘experimental population’’ means any population
(including any offspring arising solely therefrom) authorized by the
Secretary for release under paragraph (2), but only when, 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 re-
lated 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 deter-
mines that such release will further the conservation of such spe-
cies.
(B) Before authorizing the release of any population under sub-
paragraph (A), the Secretary shall by regulation identify the popu-
lation and determine, on the basis of the best available informa-
tion, 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 experi-
mental 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 essential to the continued existence
of a species shall be treated, except when it occurs 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 subpara-
graph (B) to be not essential to the continued existence of a
species.
(3) The Secretary, with respect to populations of endangered
species or threatened species that the Secretary authorized, before
the date of the enactment of this subsection, for release in geo-
graphical areas separate from the other populations of such spe-
cies, shall determine by regulation which of such populations are
an experimental 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 species.
PENALTIES AND ENFORCEMENT

SEC. 11. ø16 U.S.C. 1540¿ (a) CIVIL PENALTIES.—(1) Any per-
son 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 certifi-
cate issued hereunder, or of any regulation issued in order to im-
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Sec. 11 ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 40

plement subsection (a)(1)(A), (B), (C), (D), (E), or (F), (a)(2(A), (B),
(C), or (D), (c), (d), (other than regulation relating to recordkeeping
or filing of reports), (f), or (g) of section 9 of this Act, may be as-
sessed a civil penalty by the Secretary of not more than $25,000
for each violation. Any person who knowingly violates, and any per-
son 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 oth-
erwise violates any provision of this Act, or any regulation, permit,
or certificate issued 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
violation. Each violation shall be a separate offense. Any such civil
penalty may be remitted or mitigated by the Secretary. Upon any
failure to pay a penalty assessed under this subsection, the Sec-
retary 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 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 sup-
ported by substantial evidence on the record considered as a whole.
(2) Hearings held during proceedings for the assessment of
civil penalties by paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be con-
ducted in accordance with section 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 para-
graph, 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 requiring 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 imposed 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 mem-
ber 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 vio-
lates any provision of this Act, of any permit or certificate issued
hereunder, or of any regulation issued in order to implement sub-
section (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
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41 ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 Sec. 11

one year, or both. Any person who knowingly violates any provision
of any other regulation issued under this Act shall, upon convic-
tion, 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 Federal lands, in-
cluding grazing of domestic livestock, to any person who is con-
victed of a criminal violation of this Act or any regulation, permit,
or certificate issued hereunder may immediately modify, suspend,
or revoke each lease, license, permit, or other agreement. The Sec-
retary 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 com-
pensation, reimbursement, or damages in connection with the
modification, suspension, or revocation of any leases, licenses, per-
mits, stamps, or other agreements pursuant to this section.
(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, it shall be
a defense to prosecution under this subsection if the defendant
committed the offense based on a good faith belief that he was act-
ing 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.
(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, Amer-
ican Samoa shall be included within the judicial district of the Dis-
trict Court of the United States for the District of Hawaii.
(d) REWARDS AND CERTAIN INCIDENTAL EXPENSES.—The Sec-
retary or the Secretary of the Treasury shall pay, from sums re-
ceived as penalties, fines, or forfeitures of property for any viola-
tions of this chapter or any regulation issued hereunder (1) a re-
ward 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 chapter or any regulation
issued hereunder, and (2) the reasonable and necessary costs in-
curred 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 chapter 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
appropriate. Any officer or employee of the United States or any
State or local government who furnishes information or renders
service in the performance of his official duties is ineligible for pay-
ment 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 prop-
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Sec. 11 ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 42

erty, exceed 14 $500,000, the Secretary of the Treasury shall deposit

an amount equal to such excess balance in the cooperative endan-
gered species conservation fund established under section 6(i) of
this Act.
(e) ENFORCEMENT.—(1) The provisions of this Act and any reg-
ulations 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 operating, 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 en-
forcing this Act.
(2) The judges of the district courts of the United States and
the United States magistrates may within their respective jurisdic-
tions, upon proper oath or affirmation showing probable cause,
issue such warrants or other process as may be required for en-
forcement 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 inspec-
tion and inspect any package, crate, or other container, including
its contents, and all accompanying documents, upon importation or
exportation. Such persons 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 authorized may search and seize, with or
without a warrant, as authorized by law. Any fish, wildlife, prop-
erty, 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 proceedings, or the institution of an
action in rem for forfeiture of such fish, wildlife, property, or item
pursuant to paragraph (4) of the subsection; except that the Sec-
retary may, in lieu of holding such fish, wildlife, property, or item,
permit the owner or consignee to post a bond or other surety satis-
factory 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, pur-
chased, offered for sale or purchase, transported, delivered, re-
ceived, carried, shipped, exported, or imported contrary to the pro-
visions 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, vehi-
cles, aircraft, and other means of transportation used to aid the
14 So in law. Probably should read ‘‘exceeds’’.
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43 ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 Sec. 11

taking, possessing, selling, purchasing, offering for sale or pur-

chase, transporting, delivering, receiving, carrying, shipping, ex-
porting, 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 violation 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 dis-
position 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 inconsistent 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 Treasury De-
partment shall, for the purposes of this Act, be exercised or per-
formed by the Secretary or by such persons as he may designate.
(6) The Attorney General of the United States may seek to en-
join 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 Treas-
ury, and the Secretary 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 cer-
tificates authorized by this Act including processing applications
and reasonable inspections, 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 collected 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 fur-
nishing the services. Appropriated funds may be expended pending
reimbursement from parties 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 ex-
tent permitted by the eleventh amendment to the Constitu-
tion), 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 author-
ized pursuant to section 4(d) or section 9(a)(1)(B) of this Act
with respect to the taking of any resident endangered species
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 controversy or the citizenship of the parties, to enforce
any such provision or regulation or to order the Secretary to per-
form such act or duty, as the case may be. In any civil suit com-
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Sec. 11 ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 44

menced under subparagraph (B) the district court shall compel the
Secretary to apply the prohibition sought if the court finds that the
allegation that an emergency exists is supported by substantial evi-
dence.
(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 pen-
alty pursuant to subsection (a) of this section; or
(iii) if the United States has commenced and is diligently
prosecuting a criminal action in a court of the United States
or a State to redress a violation of any such provision or regu-
lation.
(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 pros-
ecuting action under section 6(g)(2)(B)(ii) of this Act to deter-
mine whether any such emergency exists.
(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 imme-
diately 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 ju-
dicial 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 mat-
ter 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 appro-
priate.
(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 (including relief
against the Secretary or a State agency).
(h) COORDINATION WITH OTHER LAWS.—The Secretary of Agri-
culture and the Secretary shall provide for appropriate coordina-
tion 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 section 306 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1306).
Nothing in this Act or any amendment made by this Act shall be
construed as superseding or limiting in any manner the functions
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45 ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 Sec. 13

of the Secretary of Agriculture under any other law relating to pro-

hibited or restricted importations or possession of animals and
other articles and no proceeding or determination under this Act
shall preclude any proceeding or be considered determinative of
any issue of fact or law in any proceeding under any Act adminis-
tered 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 Tar-
iff 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 regulations of a foreign country.
ENDANGERED PLANTS

SEC. 12. ø16 U.S.C. 1541¿ The Secretary of the Smithsonian

Institution, in conjunction with other affected agencies, is author-
ized and directed to review (1) species of plants which are now or
may become endangered, or threatened and (2) methods of ade-
quately 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 regulate 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 spe-
cies,’’.
(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 au-
thorized for the preservation of species of fish or wildlife that are
threatened with extinction.’’ and inserting in lieu thereof the fol-
lowing:
‘‘Endangered Species and Threatened Species.—For lands,
waters, or interests therein, the acquisition of which is authorized
under section 5 (a) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, needed
for the purpose of conserving endangered or threatened species of
fish or wildlife or plants.’’
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Sec. 14 ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 46

(d) The first sentence of section 2 of the Act of September

28,1962, as amended (76 Stat. 653, 16 U.S.C. 460k-l), is amended
to read as follow:
‘‘The Secretary is authorized to acquire areas of land, or inter-
ests therein, which are suitable for—
‘‘(1) incidental fish and wildlife-oriented recreational devel-
opment,
‘‘(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 En-
dangered 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 acquisi-
tion of any land or interest therein pursuant to this section
shall be accomplished only with such funds as may be appro-
priated therefor 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 hunting 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(1)(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 following: ‘‘an endangered spe-
cies or threatened species pursuant to the Endangered Species
Act of 1973’’; and
(4) by striking out ‘‘of the Interior such revisions of the En-
dangered Species List, authorized by the Endangered Species
Conservation Act of 1969,’’ in section 202(a)(6) thereof and in-
serting in lieu thereof the following: ‘‘such revisions of the en-
dangered species list and threatened species list published pur-
suant to section 4(c)(1) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973’’.
(f) Section 2(l) 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 Sec-
retary pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973’’.
REPEALER

SEC. 14. øSection 14 consists of repeals of provisions of law.¿

AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS

SEC. 15. ø16 U.S.C. 1542¿ (a) IN GENERAL.—Except as pro-

vided in subsection (b), (c), and (d), there are authorized to be ap-
propriated—
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47 ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 Sec. 18

(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 fis-
cal 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 enable the
Department of Commerce to carry out such functions and re-
sponsibilities 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 re-
sponsibilities 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 appro-
priated to the Secretary to assist him and the Endangered Species
Committee in carrying out their functions under sections 15 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 car-
rying 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 ex-
pended.
EFFECTIVE DATE

SEC. 16. ø16 U.S.C. 1531 note¿ This Act shall take effect on
the date of its enactment.
MARINE MAMMAL PROTECTION ACT OF 1972

SEC. 17. ø16 U.S.C. 1543¿ Except as otherwise provided in this

Act, no provision of this Act shall take precedence over any more
restrictive conflicting provision of the Marine Mammal Protection
Act of 1972.
ANNUAL COST ANALYSIS BY THE FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

SEC. 18. ø16 U.S.C. 1544¿ Notwithstanding section 3003 of

Public Law 104–66 (31 U.S.C. 1113 note; 109 Stat. 734), on or be-
fore January 15, 1990, and each January 15 thereafter, the Sec-
retary of the Interior, acting through the Fish and Wildlife Service,
shall submit to the Congress an annual report covering the pre-
ceding fiscal year which shall contain—
(1) an accounting on a species by species basis of all rea-
sonably unidentifiable Federal expenditures made primarily for
the conservation of endangered or threatened species pursuant
to this Act; and
15 So in law. Probably should be ‘‘section’’.
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Sec. 18 ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 48

(2) an accounting on a species by species basis for all rea-

sonably identifiable expenditures made primarily for the con-
servation of endangered or threatened species pursuant to this
Act by States receiving grants under section 6.

October 22, 2020 As Amended Through P.L. 113-287, Enacted December 19, 2014

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