This handbook is a comprehensive guide to the federal Endangered Species
Act, the primary U.S. law aimed at protecting species of animals and
plants from human threats to their survival. The Act protects not only
threatened and endangered animals and plants, but their habitats as
well, from direct and indirect threats such as hunting and development.
Enacted in 1973 without opposition, the Act has over the past 27 years
become a focal point for controversy, as efforts to protect species have
clashed with traditional views of economic progress. Despite the often
heated debate, the Act enters the 21st century essentially unchanged.
This handbook, intended for lawyers, government agency employees,
students, community activists, businesspeople, and anyone else who needs
to understand the Endangered Species Act, guides the reader through the
Act's provisions, including the procedures for listing species and
designating their critical habitats, the requirements the Act places on
federal agencies, and the scope of protections afforded to listed
species. It contains a discussion of the modern extinction crisis and a
brief history of endangered species protection in the United States. The
handbook also explains how the Act and its implementing regulations have
been interpreted by courts over the years. It provides valuable tips for
citizens who wish to become involved in application and enforcement of
the Act. The handbook includes the text of the Act, as well as a
bibliography of related legislative materials, case law, and legal
scholarship.
