About this Collection
We have developed a number of national policies and issued internal guidance to promote efficiency and consistency in our implementation of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Below you will find links to summaries of our major policies related to species listing and critical habitat.
Policies and Regulations
| Policy or Regulation | Date | Document |
|---|---|---|
| Endangered and Threatened Species Listing and Recovery Priority Guidelines | September 21, 1983; November 15, 1983 - Correction | 48 FR 43098; 48 FR 51985 |
| Interagency Policy on Information Standards under the ESA | July 1, 1994 | 59 FR 34271 |
| Interagency Policy Regarding the Recognition of Distinct Vertebrate Population Segments Under the ESA | February 7, 1996 | 61 FR 4722 |
| Final Policy for Evaluation of Conservation Efforts When Making Listing Decisions | March 28, 2003 | 68 FR 15100 |
| Policy on Interpretation of the Phrase "Significant Portion of Its Range" in the ESA's Definitions of "Endangered Species" and "Threatened Species" | July 1, 2014 | 79 FR 37577 |
| Implementing Changes to the Regulations for Designating Critical Habitat | February 11, 2016 | 81 FR 7414 |
| Policy Regarding Implementation of Section 4(b)(2) of the Endangered Species Act | February 11, 2016 | 81 FR 7226 |
| Methodology for Prioritizing Status Reviews and Accompanying 12-Month Findings on Petitions for Listing Under the Endangered Species Act | July 27, 2016 | 81 FR 49248 |
| Revisions to the Regulations for Petitions | September 27, 2016 | 81 FR 66462 |
| Regulations for Prohibitions to Threatened Wildlife and Plants | August 27, 2019 | 84 FR 44753 |
| Regulations for Listing Species and Designating Critical Habitat | August 27, 2019 | 84 FR 45020 |
| Regulations for Listing Endangered and Threatened Species and Designating Critical Habitat | December 16, 2020 | 85 FR 81411 |
| Regulations for Designating Critical Habitat | December 18, 2020 | 85 FR 82376 |
| Revised Regulations for Listing Endangered and Threatened Species and Designating Critical Habitat | April 5, 2024 | 89 FR 24300 |
| Revised Regulations Protecting Endangered and Threatened Species | April 5, 2024 | 89 FR 23919 |