1. The Endangered Species Act
Drafted 1973, Amended 1982, 1985, 1988
By Andrew Liao, period 2
Purpose: To prevent the extinction of critically threatened species and to recover and maintain their population levels.
Agencies responsible: the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Polar bears are endangered.
Giant pandas are also endangered.

2. Endangered Species Act of 1973
Authorized the determination and declaration of the endangered or threatened statuses of species
Forbade unauthorized possession and sale of endangered species
Authorized the acquiring of land for listed species
Authorized formation of agreements and subsidies
Established criminal penalties

3. Subsequent Amendments
1982 – Prohibited taking economic factors into account, established time tables to ensure efficiency
1985 – Ensured the safety of migrating birds through the identification of habitats, promoted protection of wild plants
1988 – Authorized FWS to monitor protected plants, required monitoring of “candidate species”