Which federal agency is responsible for enforcing the Endangered Species Act?

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the federal agency designated to enforce the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This act was established to protect and recover imperiled species and the ecosystems upon which they depend. The agency takes a lead role in the conservation of fish, wildlife, and plants, and it implements the provisions of the ESA, which includes creating recovery plans, protecting critical habitats, and regulating activities that may harm endangered species.

While other agencies play important roles in environmental protection and conservation—such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which manages oceanic and atmospheric resources, or the Environmental Protection Agency, which focuses on environmental quality—they do not have primary responsibility for the enforcement of the ESA. The Forest Service, as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, primarily manages national forests and grasslands, which may include some oversight of species within those areas but does not enforce the ESA. Understanding the responsibilities associated with the Endangered Species Act helps clarify the role of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in maintaining biodiversity and protecting species at risk of extinction.