What is the Endangered Species Act?

The Endangered Species Act is a federal law passed in 1973 that aims to protect and recover threatened and endangered species of plant and animal life. It covers species of fish, wildlife, and plants that are deemed to be at risk of extinction due to activities that humans are involved in such as pollution, habitat destruction, and over-harvesting. In Washington, the Endangered Species Act is administered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). The Act was designed to protect species from becoming extinct, as well as to preserve their habitats. The Endangered Species Act provides protection for threatened and endangered species in Washington, prohibiting any activity that could harm, harass, or take the species. All activities that require a federal permit, license, or authorization must be reviewed by the USFWS to assess their potential impacts on threatened and endangered species and their habitats. This is done by consulting with other federal and state agencies, tribes, and the public to ensure that the activity does not jeopardize the long-term survival of a species. The USFWS works closely with the WDFW to develop and implement recovery plans for threatened and endangered species, habitat conservation plans, and species management plans. The plans contain specific objectives that must be met in order to ensure the survival of the species. The Endangered Species Act supports and encourages cooperative efforts by landowners, state and local governments, tribes, and other stakeholders so that threatened and endangered species can be restored and maintained on the landscape.

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What is the Endangered Species Act?

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