Endangered Species Act of 1973 Rachel Friedman p.3

Facts: The Act was encouraged by the federal government through the implementation of various state programs, and it aims to conserve and protect ecosystems that house endangered species. What the Act does:  authorizes the determination and listing of species as endangered and threatened  prohibits unauthorized taking, possession, sale, and transport of endangered species  provides authority to acquire land for the conservation of listed species, using land and water conservation funds  authorizes establishment of cooperative agreements and grants-in- aid to States that establish and maintain active and adequate programs for endangered and threatened wildlife and plants  authorizes the assessment of civil and criminal penalties for violating the Act or regulations  authorizes the payment of rewards to anyone furnishing information leading to arrest and conviction for any violation of the Act or any regulation issued thereunder.

Continued…  The Act also enforces that any acts funded or carried out by Federal agencies may not harm any endangered species or their habitats.  The Act was signed into law by President Richard Nixon on December 28, 1973 because he felt that species conservation efforts at the time were lacking.  Overall main goal: to protect critically endangered species from becoming extinct.

Effects of the Act:  23 species have been officially de-listed from the endangered species list due to positive recovery from the Endangered Species Act.