How does environmental law protect endangered species?

Environmental law in Virginia has several regulations and laws in place that protect endangered species, including the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973. Under the ESA, it is illegal to “take” endangered species or harm their habitat in any way. To “take” an animal means to kill, hunt, harm, or harass them, or to attempt to do any of these things. The ESA also requires the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to create a list of all species that are threatened with extinction. The list is updated periodically and helps guide conservation actions. Other environmental regulations in Virginia also help protect endangered species. For example, the Virginia Marine Resources Commission sets limits on the amount of fish that can be harvested from public waters, and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality sets water quality standards that help protect aquatic species. Additionally, the Virginia Wildlife Action Plan outlines specific actions to conserve and protect declining species. Finally, Virginia has several state parks and wildlife refuges that shelter and protect endangered species. These include the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Shenandoah National Park, and the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. In summary, environmental law in Virginia has several regulations in place that help protect endangered species. This includes the ESA, which makes it illegal to “take” endangered species, and other measures such as water quality standards, harvest limits, and conservation action plans. Additionally, several state parks and wildlife refuges provide a safe habitat for endangered species.

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