Serving the people of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Native Tribes

• You are here: EPA Home
• Region 10
• Ecosystems & Communities Page
• Pesticides
• ESPP

Endangered Species Protection Program

Under the Endangered Species Act, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must ensure that its registration of pesticides is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of species listed as endangered or threatened.

EPA is authorized to register pesticides under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. EPA is also required, through the Endangered Species Act, to ensure that the uses of registered pesticides are not likely to jeopardize endangered species and their critical habitats. At the same time, EPA wants to avoid placing any unnecessary limitations on the use of many important pesticides. Balancing these responsibilities has led to the development of EPA's Endangered Species Protection Program.

On November 9, 2005, EPA published a final notice on its enforceable program for the protection of endangered species. EPA's Endangered Species Protection Program will address, to the degree possible, endangered species issues within EPA’s existing process of registration of pesticides. If geographically specific pesticide use limitations are necessary, EPA will create an Endangered Species Protection Bulletin (Bulletin) that will contain enforceable use limitations for the pesticide. Bulletins will be referenced on the pesticide product label and available on the web at www.epa.gov/espp or by calling 1-800-447-3813. The existing "county bulletins" are not enforceable pesticide use limitations.

In the Pesticides and Toxics Unit of EPA Region 10, the Endangered Species Coordinator serves as the central source of information for the four State region. To contact Region 10's Pesticides Program Endangered Species Coordinator, please call 206-553-1918.

Useful Links EPA's Endangered Species Protection Program Alaska State Department of Environmental Conservation's Endangered Species Program Idaho State Department of Agriculture's Endangered Species Program Oregon Department of Agriculture's Endangered Species Program Washington State Department of Agriculture's Endangered Species Program Washington Toxics Coalition vs. EPA

The Endangered Species Act

The Endangered Species Act was passed in 1973 to conserve threatened and endangered plant and animal species and to conserve their critical habitats. The Fish and Wildlife Service within the United States Department of the Interior, and the National Marine Fisheries Service within the United States Department of Commerce are the main administering agencies for the Endangered Species Act. The Fish and Wildlife Service is responsible for the protection of mainland species and the National Marine Fisheries Service is responsible for protecting marine species.

All federal agencies are required by Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act to ensure that the actions carried out by the agencies are not likely to harm endangered or threatened species.

Local Navigation

• Region 10: the Pacific Northwest
• About Region 10
• A to Z Subject Index
• Topics and Programs
• Air
• Cleanup
• Compliance Help
• Enforcement
• Environmental Assessment
• Toxic Substances
• Waste & Recycling
• Water
• Regional Priorities
• For Kids

• EPA Home
• Privacy and Security Notice
• Contact Us

URL: http://yosemite.epa.gov/r10/ECOCOMM.NSF/Pesticides/ESPP