Endangered Species

Threatened, Endangered, Candidate and Proposed Species

In 1973, the United States Congress passed the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The Act entrusts the Service with the responsibility to protect and restore federally listed threatened and endangered species and their habitats. Similarly, the National Marine Fisheries Service is responsible for marine species. When a species becomes threatened or endangered, it serves as a serious health warning for the entire ecosystem. Listed species are designated as either endangered -- likely to become extinct throughout all or most of its range, or threatened -- likely to become endangered in the near future. Both designations receive the same level of protection.

Candidate and proposed species are currently being studied to assess the need to list them under the ESA as threatened or endangered. Candidate and proposed species are not federally protected under the ESA; however, potential impacts to these species should be considered. Avoiding impacts to these species now may prevent them from being listed as either threatened or endangered in the future.

The ARLES is responsible for 14 federally listed species. Activities relating to the ESA in north Texas include implementing recovery efforts for listed species; reviewing projects that could adversely affect listed species; monitoring populations of listed and declining species; working with partners to conserve listed species' habitats; and educating the public about threatened and endangered species, why they are important, and what people can do to help.

Click here for information regarding the federally listed species known to occur within the Southwest Region (Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas).

Click here for information regarding the Section 7 Consultation process.

For more information regarding the ARLES Endangered Species Program, contact us.

Threatened, Endangered, Candidate and Proposed Species

This page was last updated on 02/05/08.