Endangered Species Act

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The primary purpose of the Endangered Species Act is to protect and recover jeopardized species, both plant and animal, and the habitats and ecosystems they depend on. Ultimately, the Endangered Species Act aspires to prevent extinction of such species by providing a program of conservation and taking steps that are appropriate to attain this goal. As defined by the Endangered Species Act, the term “threatened species” refers to as a species that is likely to become endangered throughout all or a significant portion of its range in the foreseeable future. The Endangered Species Act also defines the term “endangered species” as a species that is at risk of becoming extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. Thus, the…show more content…
These actions primarily deal with the concept of “take,” which refers to the harassment, hunting, pursuing, killing, trapping, wounding, capturing, collection, or engagement of such a species. As the Act thoroughly details, it is unlawful for any individual to perform any of these actions on a species labeled as threatened or endangered, including terrestrial or marine animals, avian organisms, and plants. Additionally, to aid in the prevention of extinction, the Endangered Species Act has made the acts of importing, exporting, selling, buying, delivering, receiving, transporting, or shipping of threatened or endangered species illegal. The Act has also legalized actions involving the damaging or destruction of an area that a threatened or endangered species depend upon through methods such as cutting, digging, and removal. Furthermore, the violation of regulations pertaining to any listed threatened or endangered species is considered…show more content…
Areas outside of the species range at the times of listing may be considered critical habitat if the area is found to be imperative for the species conservation. Thus, these areas are considered crucial to the conservation and protection of such species. However, while it is important to conserve the ecosystems upon which threatened or endangered species depend on, the Federal government does not have to designate critical habitat. In some cases, critical habitat is designated on private land, however, the effects are not grand. That is to say, designation will not affect land ownership, establish a refuge or reserve, or grant the government the ability to take over or manage the property. Designation also does not limit what a property owner can do to or on their property, provided there are no federal permits or funding involved with the action and that the action does not adversely affect the species or its habitat. However, it is important to gain the cooperation of individual landowners, as many may have concerns about personal assets such as

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