Research Topic 2 – 1973 Endangered Species Act (ESA)

Date: April 4, 2013

Background Statement:

The Endangered Species Act of 1973 provides a program for the conservation of threatened and endangered plants and animals and the habitats in which they are found and deals with the perseveration of wildlife which is threatened with extinction. The U.S Fish and Wildlife services is the government agency entrusted with the enforcement of it provision.
Also ensure that actions they authorize, fund, or carry out are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any listed species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of designated critical habitat of such species. The law also prohibits any action that causes a …show more content…

The Endangered Species Act is at the mercy of the prevailing political winds that power the policies and emphases of the executive, congressional and judicial branches of the government of the United States. Short- and long-term economic benefits can conflict with the aim of preservation of certain species. An example would be the desire to clear cut a forest which may be the only remaining habitat for a particular species of bird. The Endangered Species Act in and of itself cannot resolve the conflicting claims of a community or corporation wanting to derive financial benefits from cutting, and the claims of scientists and animal lovers aiming to preserve a particular species.
The best measure of economic loss is opportunity cost-the foregone opportunities due to restrictions on the use of property due to listings, designation of critical habitat, and recovery plans. Opportunity costs include the reduced economic profit from restricted or altered development projects including agriculture production, timber harvesting, minerals extraction, and recreation activities; wages lost by displaced workers who remain unemployed or who are re-employed at lower pay; lower consumer surplus due to higher prices; and lower county property and severance tax revenue. Currently, there is no national estimate of the difference in actual economic growth with the ESA and potential economic growth without the ESA.
Cost is one of the main reasons