To amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to provide that artificially propagated animals shall be treated the same under that Act as naturally propagated animals, and for other purposes.
This bill would change how the Endangered Species Act (ESA) treats animals that are produced through artificial propagation (i.e., bred or raised by humans, not through natural reproduction). It adds a new provision requiring the Secretary to treat artificially propagated animals the same as naturally propagated animals in all ESA determinations. It also creates a new provision that specifically authorizes the use of artificial propagation to meet mitigation obligations under the Act. Importantly, the changes apply to species regardless of whether they have been listed as endangered or threatened before or after enactment. In short, the bill formalizes the use of human-assisted propagation as an equal option to natural propagation for purposes of ESA decisions and mitigation.
Key Points
- 1The Secretary shall not distinguish between naturally propagated and artificially propagated animals in making any determinations under the ESA.
- 2The bill creates a new section authorizing the use of artificial propagation of animals of a species for purposes of any mitigation required under the ESA.
- 3The amendments apply to a species regardless of its prior listing status as endangered or threatened.
- 4Section 14 is amended and retitled to “Artificial propagation for mitigation purposes,” changing the table of contents accordingly.
- 5The bill does not define “artificial propagation” within the text, leaving interpretation to the Secretary and potentially leading to broad or varying applications.