1. Describe the act, proposition or treaty.
For this assignment, I chose to research the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This act was approved December 28, 1973 and repealed the Endangered Species Conservation Act of 1969. This act was designed to recover and protect all endangered or threatened species; this includes fish, wildlife and plant in the United States and beyond. One of the most important aspects of this act works to protect the species habitats. It also prohibits the sale of these species, authorizes them as endangered and provides authority to acquire land for the conservation of the listed species; among many other things.
2. Describe its history of success or failures and its supporters and opponents
One of the ESA’s largest successes is the growth of the Bald Eagle Species. From 1963 to 2006 the number went from 416 pairs to 9,789 pairs. In fact a study of all endangered species in the Northeastern United States found that 93% of the species placed on the endangered list increased or remained stable. Many of its greatest supporters come from government related wildlife organizations, rather than locally funded groups.
The results are not all pretty for the Endangered Species Act. Some of its biggest critics come from local or regional offices, who are seeing the effects of the act first hand. For example, WISE (Western Institute for the Study of the Environment) argue that due to the lack of congress updating the lists, animals that were once close to extinct are now overpopulating areas. They list gray wolves as a prime example of an animal listed under the ESA now becoming so abundant that they are mercilessly attacking other livestock and pets. The ESA, as with almost all laws that come from Congress is highly controversial and always have 2 sides.
3. Explain how it supports local and/or global biodiversity
The endangered species act is fundamental in contributing to local and global biodiversity. By protecting species that have dying, we increase the number of species still in existence and encourage further growth of many species. Biodiversity can best be described as the degree of variation between forms within a given ecosystem. If we did not protect these species, each ecosystem would eventually have specific species that survive and others that we may never see again.
4. To the best of your ability, explain how the policy was made.
From what I can gather, the ESA came as a follow up to the Endangered Species Conservation Act approved in 1969. The first ever Endangered Species Preservation act came in 1966, which allowed Fish & Wildlife to buy habitat for listed species. This act however did not require other agencies to protect these species. The most recent ESA, passed in 1973 was the result of a conference in Washington D.C. in which 80 nations attended and agreed upon a way to monitor and restrict international commerce where plant and animal species were thought to be harmed.
5. State your opinion on how effective this act, proposition or treaty is and make suggestions for better management or implementation.
In my opinion, I feel as though the ESA is well-known as a name, but not much more. For example, I had no idea that it also helped to protect plants. I also tend to agree with some agencies who believe the list is not updated enough. However, I know that there is a lot of work that goes into making and updating the list so I understand why it may seem out of date. I think the government needs to find a way to make it more manageable maybe by having certain tasks handled at a local level and accepting more input from citizens who are actively involved.
All information found from:
The Natural Resources Defense Council:
Digest of Federal Resource Laws of Interest to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service:
Center for Biological Diversity:
Western Institute for the Environment :
US Fish & Wildlife Service
