What We Do
Recovery permits may be issued for purposes that are consistent with the Endangered Species Act to assist in the recovery of endangered and threatened species. The purpose of a recovery permit is to permit activities that would result in “take” “take”
The term “take” means to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct.
Learn more about “take” of a federally listed species for scientific purposes or to enhance the propagation or survival of the affected species, so activities that will ultimately benefit the recovery of that species. The term “take” means to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or attempt to engage in any such conduct. See more information in the "Our Laws and Regulations" section below.
The Recovery Permit program is responsible for implementing statute and regulations as they pertain to recovery permits, processing new, renewal, and amendment applications for recovery permits; issuing recovery permits, authorizing surveys and other activities that may result in "take", receiving and reviewing reports submitted by permit holders, and communicating with all partners regarding recovery permits.
For more about recovery permits please visit this webpage: 3-200-59: Scientific Purposes, Enhancement of Propagation, or Survival Permits (Recovery Permits)
Our Laws and Regulations
The Recovery permit is covered under Section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Act.
Section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Act (Act), 16 U.S. Code § 1539: ”The Secretary may permit, under such terms and conditions as they shall prescribe— (A) any act otherwise prohibited by section 9 for scientific purposes or to enhance the propagation or survival of the affected species, including, but not limited to, acts necessary for the establishment and maintenance of experimental populations pursuant to subsection (j)”.
Additionally, the following regulations from the Code of Federal Regulations apply for recovery permits:
- 50 CFR Part 13 – General permit application requirements.
- 50 CFR 17.11 - List of endangered and threatened animal species.
- 50 CFR 17.12 - List of endangered and threatened plant species.
- 50 CFR 17.22 - Endangered wildlife permit requirements.
- 50 CFR 17.32 - Threatened wildlife permit requirements.
- 50 CFR 17.62 - Endangered plants permit requirements.
- 50 CFR 17.72 - Threatened plants permit requirements.