|
|
Endangered Species
| In 1973, Congress passed
the Endangered Species Act, recognizing that: (1) various species of fish,
wildlife, and plants in the United States have been rendered extinct as
a consequence of economic growth and development untempered by adequate
concern and conservation, |
Bald Eagle
FWS Photo
|
(2) other species of fish, wildlife
and plants have been so depleted in numbers that they are in danger of
or threatened with extinction, and (3) these species of fish, wildlife,
and plants are of esthetic, ecological, educational, historical, recreational,
and scientific value to the United States and its people. The intended
purpose of the Act is to provide a means by which the ecosystems upon which
endangered and threatened species depend may be conserved and to
provide a program for the conservation of those species.
Important components of the
Endangered Species Act include:
(1) listing/recovery [Section
4], (2) cooperation with states [Section 6], (3) consultation [Section
7], (4) enforcement [Section 9], and (5) incidental take permits [Section
10].
Fanshell
FWS Photo
|
Section 4 provides the process
by which species are added to or removed from the official list of endangered
or threatened species, and by which recovery plans are developed; Section
6 allows the Service to enter into cooperative agreements with states to
implement recovery activities |
Section 7 requires
all Federal agencies to consult with the Service for all actions they authorize,
fund, or carry out; Section 9 prohibits take of listed species and provides
penalties for violations; and Section 10 allows the Service to issue permits
for incidental take of listed species for scientific purposes, or through
the development of habitat conservation plans (HCP's) by non-Federal entities.
The Kentucky Field
Office is actively involved in Section 7 consultations
and Section 4 listing and recovery activities.
Kentucky currently or historically provided habitat for over 50
species of threatened or endangered plants or animals.
Current List of Kentucky's Threatened, Endangered,
and Federal Candidate Species Questions concerning endangered
species can be addressed to
Dr. Michael A. Floyd (mike_floyd@fws.gov) |
