ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT

Endangered Species Act

Endangered Species Act

The Endangered Species Act

The Endangered Species Act was created on December 28, 1973, for the protection of all animals whose numbers were declining and were in danger of becoming extinct. Congress passed it with overwhelming votes of 355-4 in the House of Representatives and 92-0 in the Senate. When it was signed, President Nixon was quoted saying, "Nothing is more priceless and more worthy of preservation than the rich array of animal life with which our country has been blessed." Over the past thirty years, many animals have been added to the endangered species list and have benefited greatly from the protection that it offers. However, getting on the endangered species list is a long and tedious process. (ESA, 1)

        In order for a species to be added to the endangered species list, it has to be "listed". To be listed, the species has to be first identified as "likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future." This can only be determined by scientific means, not political ones. The process by which a species is added to the endangered species list should take no longer than twenty-seven months. However, there are many cases that take much longer than that. Also, cases may take a lot shorter than that if it is an extreme emergency and the species is literally on the brink of extinction. (ESA, 1)

        Before a species is listed, it is seen as a candidate species. In many cases, species may remain as candidates for years on end. For instance, the Florida black bear has been a candidate species since 1992. However, if the species passes the requirements to be listed but lacks the funds to do so, it is seen as "warranted, but precluded" on the endangered species list. (ESA, 1)

        After a specie has been added to the Endangered Species List and is under the protection of the ESA, a critical habitat has to be determined. A critical habitat is a piece of land that is designated essential to the survival of the endangered specie. In fact, the loss of a habitat is the leading cause of the endangerment of a specie, affecting over 95% of them. However, out of the over 1,200 species listed by the FWS, only about 130 of them have had critical habitats designated for them. In most cases, the FWS will only make a critical habitat for an endangered specie if forced to by court order, and for no other reason. (ESA, 1)

        A few examples of species that have been able to rebound from near extinction, thanks to the Endangered Species Act are the bald eagle and the condor. The bald eagle was near extinction twenty years ago but has now almost made a full recovery and is soon to be taken off of the Endangered Species List. (Bald Eagle to Leave Endangered List, 1) The condor was so near extinction that one could not even be seen in the wild, all of the breeding had to ...