The Endangered Species Act is a series of United States environmental laws that were approved by Congress in 1973.
On August 11, 2008, the administration of President Bush proposed new regulations that would allow federal agencies to determine independently whether new structures would harm the habitats of endangered species. The new proposal would allow agencies to forgo mandatory reviews conducted by scientists, which has been the practice since the laws were implemented.
Current Law
The current law requires government agencies to confer with experts from the US Fish and Wildlife Service or the National Marine Fisheries Service before proceeding with a project that could damage the habitats of the endangered species protected by the act.
References
Fast Facts
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Passed by Congress on December 28 1973
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Determines the animals and plants listed as endangered species
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Section 7 of the act requires that governmental agencies do not harm the habitats of protected plants or animals
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Government wildlife experts are responsible for reviewing potential habitat damage that could occur due to the construction of highways or other structures
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Federal agencies blame the reviews for increased costs and project delays
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The Bush Administration proposed changes that would allow agencies to conduct independent reviews
