Endangered Species Act of 1969
Encyclopedia
The Endangered Species Act of 1969 (Public Law 91-135) was an expansion of the Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966
which authorized the United States Secretary of the Interior
to develop a comprehensive list of species
or subspecies of animals threatened with worldwide extinction
. It also prohibited the importation from any foreign country any animal-whole or in part, any product, or any egg belonging to a species on that list. Limited exceptions for scientific, educational, zoological or propagational purposes and for certain cases of commercial "economic hardship" were allowed under strict permitting procedures.
in the House of Representatives in 1900 and signed into law by President William McKinley
on May 25, 1900, it was originally "directed more at the preservation of game and wild birds by making it a federal crime to poach game in one state with the purpose of selling the bounty in another" .
The Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966
(Public Law 89-669) was passed prior to the 1969 act, and set up a list of species native to the United States that qualified as endangered. The animals on this list were then afforded certain protections from the National Wildlife Refuge System.
For example, the Endangered Species Preservation Act was in part dedicated to raising awareness of endangered species of birds like the Peregrine Falcon
, and to "conserve, protect, restore, and propagate certain species of native fish and wildlife" .
Despite these protections, however, researchers found that the act was insufficient. This led to the current act being expanded by the Endangered Species Act of 1969.
It granted protection to amphibians, reptiles, mollusks, and crustaceans, groups previously unprotected by any U.S. law. It also expanded the maximum punishment for poaching to a possible $10,000 and up to a year of jail time. In addition, it established two lists into which endangered species could be sorted, foreign and domestic. The act then allowed for species on the domestic list to be given extra protection by United States agencies such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It also stated that species on the foreign endangered list could not be brought into the United States. The 1969 act further amended other existing laws to prohibit throughout the United States the sale or purchase by any person of any domestically endangered species or part or product thereof that was taken in any manner in violation of the laws or regulations of a state or foreign country. It also established the framework for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, or CITIES which, "accords varying degrees of protection to more than 30,000 species of animals and plants, whether they are traded as live specimens, fur coats or dried herbs." Finally, the 1969 Act authorized up to $15 million to be appropriated to acquire land for the purpose of conserving, protecting, restoring, or propagating any endangered species
.
The 1973 act was signed into law by President Richard Nixon
, and expanded the protections afforded by the Endangered Species Act of 1969.
The act is administered by two federal agencies, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service
(FWS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA).
Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966
In the United States the Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966 was the predecessor to the Endangered Species Act.Passed by Congress, this act permitted the listing of native U.S animal species as endangered and for limited protections upon those animals.This Act caused the Secretary of the...
which authorized the United States Secretary of the Interior
United States Secretary of the Interior
The United States Secretary of the Interior is the head of the United States Department of the Interior.The US Department of the Interior should not be confused with the concept of Ministries of the Interior as used in other countries...
to develop a comprehensive list of species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
or subspecies of animals threatened with worldwide extinction
Extinction
In biology and ecology, extinction is the end of an organism or of a group of organisms , normally a species. The moment of extinction is generally considered to be the death of the last individual of the species, although the capacity to breed and recover may have been lost before this point...
. It also prohibited the importation from any foreign country any animal-whole or in part, any product, or any egg belonging to a species on that list. Limited exceptions for scientific, educational, zoological or propagational purposes and for certain cases of commercial "economic hardship" were allowed under strict permitting procedures.
Lacey Act
A predecessor to the Endangered Species Act of 1969, the Lacey Act of 1900, was the first in a long line of efforts by the United States government to preserve wildlife. Introduced by Iowa Congressman John F. LaceyJohn F. Lacey
John Fletcher Lacey was an eight-term Republican United States congressman from Iowa's 6th congressional district. He was also the author of the Lacey Act of 1900, which made it a crime to ship illegal game across state lines, and the Lacey Act of 1907, which further regulated the handling of...
in the House of Representatives in 1900 and signed into law by President William McKinley
William McKinley
William McKinley, Jr. was the 25th President of the United States . He is best known for winning fiercely fought elections, while supporting the gold standard and high tariffs; he succeeded in forging a Republican coalition that for the most part dominated national politics until the 1930s...
on May 25, 1900, it was originally "directed more at the preservation of game and wild birds by making it a federal crime to poach game in one state with the purpose of selling the bounty in another" .
Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966
Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966
In the United States the Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966 was the predecessor to the Endangered Species Act.Passed by Congress, this act permitted the listing of native U.S animal species as endangered and for limited protections upon those animals.This Act caused the Secretary of the...
(Public Law 89-669) was passed prior to the 1969 act, and set up a list of species native to the United States that qualified as endangered. The animals on this list were then afforded certain protections from the National Wildlife Refuge System.
For example, the Endangered Species Preservation Act was in part dedicated to raising awareness of endangered species of birds like the Peregrine Falcon
Peregrine Falcon
The Peregrine Falcon , also known as the Peregrine, and historically as the Duck Hawk in North America, is a widespread bird of prey in the family Falconidae. A large, crow-sized falcon, it has a blue-gray back, barred white underparts, and a black head and "moustache"...
, and to "conserve, protect, restore, and propagate certain species of native fish and wildlife" .
Despite these protections, however, researchers found that the act was insufficient. This led to the current act being expanded by the Endangered Species Act of 1969.
Characteristics of the Act
The Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1969 was largely an expansion of the Lacey Act of 1900. In 1969, it was amended to protect species beyond game and wild birds.Endangered species
An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters...
.
Endangered Species Act of 1973
The Endangered Species Act of 1969 was only in effect for four years. It was soon replaced by the Endangered Species Act of 1973.The 1973 act was signed into law by President Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
, and expanded the protections afforded by the Endangered Species Act of 1969.
The act is administered by two federal agencies, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service
United States Fish and Wildlife Service
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service is a federal government agency within the United States Department of the Interior dedicated to the management of fish, wildlife, and natural habitats...
(FWS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , pronounced , like "noah", is a scientific agency within the United States Department of Commerce focused on the conditions of the oceans and the atmosphere...
(NOAA).
See also
- Environment of the United StatesEnvironment of the United StatesThe environment of the United States comprises diverse biotas, climates, and geologies. Environmental regulations and the environmental movement have emerged to respond to the various threats to the environment.-Animals:...
- Conservation in the United StatesConservation in the United StatesConservation in the United States can be traced back to the 19th century with the formation of the first National Park.-Philosophy of early American conservation movement:During the 19th century, Americans developed a deep and abiding passion for nature...
- Lacey ActLacey ActThe Lacey Act of 1900, or more commonly The Lacey Act is a conservation law introduced by Iowa Rep. John F. Lacey. Protecting both plants and wildlife by creating civil and criminal penalties for a wide array of violations, the Act most notably prohibits trade in wildlife, fish, and plants that...
- Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966In the United States the Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966 was the predecessor to the Endangered Species Act.Passed by Congress, this act permitted the listing of native U.S animal species as endangered and for limited protections upon those animals.This Act caused the Secretary of the...
- Endangered Species Act of 1973
- Endangered speciesEndangered speciesAn endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters...
- List of endangered species in North America
- List of extinct animals