The Endangered Species Act ("ESA") prohibits importing, exporting, taking, possessing, selling, and transporting endangered and threatened species (with certain exceptions). ESA also provides for the designation of critical habitat and prohibits the destruction of that habitat. ESA provisions are enforced through the use of citizen suits, imprisonment, fines, and forfeiture. Show The Ecological Society of America PREFACE The Ecological Society of America is the nation's leading professional society of ecologists representing 7,500 ecological researchers in the United States, Canada, Mexico and 62 other nations. Founded in 1915, ESA seeks to promote the responsible application of ecological principles to the solution of environmental problems through ESA reports, journals, research and expert testimony to Congress. In March of 1992, then President of the Ecological Society of America, H. Ronald Pulliam, established an Ecological Society of America ad hoc Committee on Endangered Species. The primary charge to this committee, made up of nine distinguished ecologists, was to produce a report addressing the ecological issues relevant to reauthorization of the Endangered Species Act. The Society's goal in this endeavor was to provide legislators with scientifically credible information. The Ecological Society of America has produced other reports focusing on possible ecological consequences of the release of genetically modified organisms, delineation of wetlands, and ecological research priorities. These reports have been favorably received and viewed as credible because of the Ecological Society's reputation and because the reports focused on science in a policy context. Strengthening the Use of Science in Achievingthe Goals of the Endangered Species ActAN ASSESSMENT BY THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA
Strengthening the Use of Science in AchievingEXECUTIVE SUMMARY |