Issue:

Efforts to reform and reauthorize the Endangered Species Act (ESA) have been before Congress since 1992. For a variety of reasons, to date all efforts to achieve reauthorization of the ESA have failed. Congress and many interest groups and federal agencies acknowledge the need for substantial revision of the ESA. A compromise that will both protect endangered species and minimize the impact on private property has proved elusive.

Background:

The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Public Law. 93-205) marks a culmination of federal legislative initiatives in the 20th Century to preserve species considered endangered. The Lacy Act in 1900, prohibiting interstate commerce of state-banned wildlife products, was the first such effort by Congress. In 1966, it was the Endangered Species Preservation Act (P.L. 89-669) that first afforded protection to entire groups of threatened species. Prior to this century, wildlife conservation measures were largely the responsibility of individual states.

Statement:

AAPG supports the reform of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Public.Law 93-205) to provide consistent and reasonable action for the preservation of endangered species while minimizing the potential adverse effects upon private property owners and impact upon industries dependent upon access to public and private lands for natural resource development.