![Oklahoma Endangered Species pictures](images/endangered.jpg)
![Endangered Species picture](images/endangered2.jpg)
The Endangered
Species Act (ESA) is intended to protect and promote the
recovery of animals and plants that are in danger of becoming extinct.
Threats to a species from habitat destruction, pollution,
over-harvesting, disease, predation, and other natural or man-made
factors must be reviewed and evaluated before an animal or plant can
be placed on the federal endangered or threatened species list. The
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and NOAA's National Marine
Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries Service (collectively, the Services)
administer the ESA. However, all federal agencies must ensure that
their actions will not jeopardize the existence of listed species or
adversely modify designated critical habitat. Therefore, EPA must
ensure that use of pesticides it registers will not result in harm to listed species or their critical habitat.
The goal of the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and
Forestrys Endangered Species Program (ESP) is to work with the U.S. EPA to carry out its responsibilities under the
Federal Insecticide,
Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) (PDF) and in compliance with
the The Endangered Species Act (ESA), without placing unnecessary
burden on agriculture and other pesticide users.
All pesticide products that EPA determines may affect a listed species, that occurs in Oklahoma, or its designated critical habitat may be subject to the ESP.