Perspective on Improving Endangered Species Act Implementation

One Perspective on an effort to improve the implementation of the Endangered Species Act David Bernhardt

Decision-making in Context Law Policy Facts/Data Discretion/Judgement

Statute 4(a)(1) says [t]he Secretary shall by regulation promulgated in accordance with subsection (b) determine whether any species is an endangered species or a threatened species because of any of the following factors: (A) the present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of its habitat or range; (B) overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational purposes; (C) disease or predation; (D) the inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms; or (E) other natural or manmade factors affecting its continued existence.

Statute Identified basis for decision Determination must be: [solely on the basis of the best scientific and commercial data available to him after conducting a review of the status of the species and after taking into account those efforts, if any, being made by any State or foreign nation, or any political subdivision of a State or foreign nation, to protect such species, whether by predator control, protection of habitat and food supply, or other conservation practices, within any area under its jurisdiction, or on the high seas

Application of Statute requires application of Discretion/ Judgement The term threatened species means any species which is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range.

Optimal Outcome Law Policy Facts/Data Discretion/Judgement

Highlights of Joint Endangered Species Act Proposed Revisions to the Regulations --Full Presentation Available at www.fws.gov

Background Section 4 of the Act Provides for how to add and remove species from the Federal lists of threatened and endangered species Provides procedures for designating critical habitat Implementing regulations are at 50 CFR 424 Addresses protective regulations for threatened species (i.e., 4(d) rules) Section 7 of the Act Provides requirements for Federal agency cooperation and consultation procedures Implementing regulations are at 50 CFR 402 Section 9 of the Act Establishes prohibitions for listed species Implementing regulations are at 50 CFR 17

Proposed Changes to 50 CFR 424 Listing, Delisting, or Reclassifying species Creates a regulatory framework for the phrase foreseeable future Clarifies that the standard for listing and delisting of species is the same Removes reference to economic or other impacts in classification decisions

Proposed Changes to 50 CFR 424 Criteria for Designating Critical Habitat Clarifies when designation of critical habitat may not be prudent Revises the process and standards for designation of unoccupied critical habitat

Proposed Changes -- 50 CFR 402 The proposed revisions would: Address alternative consultation mechanisms Revise the definitions of destruction or adverse modification and effects of the action Address certainty of mitigation proposed by action agencies Seeks comment on mechanisms that might further improve the consultation process

My Perspective Expect we will get a great many other ideas in comments Took decades of experience between two agencies and asked regarding section 4 and 7 what can be improved. Best practices adopted (FWS special 4(d) rules) Innovative ideas put forward (new approaches to consultation reductions in paperwork) Effort to provide greater defeasibility, clarity and reduce unnecessary burdens Specifically asking for broad range of commentary and other ideas Better conservation outcomes and less conflict mean resources have greater focus on collaboration

Comment on or before September 24, 2018 Questions?