(1) various species of fish, wildlife, and plants in the United States
have been rendered extinct as a consequence of economic growth and development
untempered by adequate concern and conservation;
(2) other species of fish, wildlife, and plants have been so depleted
in numbers that they are in danger of or threatened with extinction;
(3) these species of fish, wildlife, and plants are of aesthetic, ecological,
educational, historical, recreational, and scientific value to the Nation
and its people;
(4) the United States has pledged itself as a sovereign state in the international
community to conserve to the extent practicable the various species of
fish or wildlife and plants facing extinction, pursuant to-
(A) migratory bird treaties with Canada and Mexico;
(B) the Migratory and Endangered Bird Treaty with Japan;
(C) the Convention on Nature Protection and Wildlife Preservation in
the Western Hemisphere;
(D) the International Convention for the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries;
(E) the International Convention for the High Seas Fisheries of the North
Pacific Ocean;
(F) the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild
Fauna and Flora; and
(G) other international agreements; and
(5) encouraging the States and other interested parties, through Federal
financial assistance and a system of incentives, to develop and maintain
conservation programs which meet national and international standards is
a key to meeting the Nation's international commitments and to better safeguarding,
for the benefit of all citizens, the Nation's heritage in fish, wildlife,
and plants.
(b) PURPOSES.-The purposes of this Act are to provide a means whereby the
ecosystems upon which endangered species and threatened species depend may
be conserved, to provide a program for the conservation of such endangered
species and threatened species, and to take such steps as may be appropriate
to achieve the purposes of the treaties and conventions set forth in subsection
(a) of this section.
(1) It Is further declared to be the policy of Congress that all Federal
departments and agencies shall seek to conserve endangered species and
threatened species and shall utilize their authorities in furtherance of
the purposes of this Act.
(2) It is further declared to be the policy of Congress that Federal agencies
shall cooperate with State and local agencies to resolve water resource
issues in concert with conservation of endangered species.