,,ib  ,union ,cal5d> ,no4 #gag  #aah?   
,,congress  #b;d ,session  ,h4 ,r4 #iecc
  ,report ,no4 #aah-hgi  ,,9 ,,! ,,h\se 
,,( ,,repres5tatives  ,septemb] #aj1    
#bjbd ,mr4 ,we/]man 7= himself1 ,mr4    
,ne:\se1 ,mr4 ,b5tz1 ,ms4 ,hageman1 ,mr4
 ,gos>1 ,mr4 ,/aub]1 ,mr4 ,tiffany1 &   
,mr4 ,duncan7 introduc$ ! foll[+ bill2  
:i* 0 ref]r$ to ! ,committee on ,natural
 ,res\rces  ,decemb] #af1 #bjbd         
,additional sponsors3 ,mr4 ,du>te1 ,mrs4
 ,radewag51 ,mr4 ,c>l1 & ,mr4 ,ful*]    
,decemb] #af1 #bjbd ,report$ ) an       
am5dm5t1 committ$ to ! ,committee ( !   
,:ole ,h\se on ! ,/ate ( ! ,union1 &    
ord]$ to be pr9t$ ,/rike out all aft] ! 
enact+ clause & ins]t ! "p pr9t$ 9      
italic ,= text ( introduc$ bill1 see    
copy ( bill z introduc$ on ,septemb]    
#aj1 #bjbd  ,a ,,bill  ,to am5d !       
,endang]$ ,species ,act ( #aigc to      
optimize cons]vation ?r\gh res\rce      
prioritization1 inc5tivize wildlife     
cons]vation on private l&s1 provide =   
great] inc5tives to recov] li/$ species1

 create great] transp>5cy &             
acc\ntability 9 recov]+ li/$ species1 & 
limit reasonable & prud5t measures4  #a4
 ,%ort title2 table ( cont5ts  7a7 ,%ort
 title ,?is ,act may be cit$ z ! ,,esa  
,am5dm5ts ,act ( #bjbd4  7b7 ,table (   
cont5ts ,! table ( cont5ts = ?is ,act is
 z foll[s3  ,sec4 #a4 ,%ort title2 table
 ( cont5ts4 ,sec4 #b4 ,endang]$ ,species
 ,act ( #aigc def9itions4 ,sec4 #c4     
,au?orization ( appropriations4 ,sec4   
#d4 ,rule ( con/ruction4 ,title         
,i--,optimiz+ ,cons]vation ,?r\gh       
,res\rce ,prioritization ,sec4 #aja4    
,prioritization ( li/+ petitions1       
reviews1 & det]m9ations4 ,title         
,,ii--,inc5tiviz+ ,wildlife ,cons]vation
 on ,private ,l&s ,sec4 #bja4 ,c&idate  
,cons]vation ,agreem5ts ) ,assurances4  
,sec4 #bjb4 ,designation ( critical     
habitat4 ,title ,,iii--,provid+ =       
,great] ,inc5tives to ,recov] ,li/$     
,species ,sec4 #cja4 ,protective        
regulations "u ,endang]$ ,species ,act (
 #aigc4 ,sec4 #cjb4 #e-ye> review       

det]m9ations4 ,sec4 #cjc4 ,judicial     
review dur+ monitor+ p]iod4 ,sec4 #cjd4 
,codification ( regulation4 ,title      
,,iv--,creat+ ,great] ,transp>5cy &     
,acc\ntability 9 ,recov]+ ,li/$ ,species
 ,sec4 #dja4 ,requirem5t to publi% basis
 = li/+s on ,int]net4 ,sec4 #djb4       
,decisional transp>5cy & use ( ,/ate1   
,tribal1 & local in=mation4 ,sec4 #djc4 
,disclosure ( exp5ditures "u ,endang]$  
,species ,act ( #aigc4 ,sec4 #djd4 ,aw>d
 ( litigation co/s to prevail+ p>ties 9 
accordance ) exi/+ law4 ,sec4 #dje4     
,analysis ( impacts & b5efits (         
det]m9ation ( endang]$ or ?reat5$ /atus4
 ,title ,v--,limitation on ,reasonable &
 ,prud5t ,measures ,sec4 #eja4          
,limitation on reasonable & prud5t      
measures4  #b4 ,endang]$ ,species ,act (
 #aigc def9itions  7a7 ,=eseeable future
 ,! f9al rule titl$ ,endang]$ & ,?reat5$
 ,wildlife & ,plants2 ,regulations =    
,li/+ ,species & ,designat+ ,critical   
,habitat 7#hd ,f$4 ,reg4 #dejbj2 publi%$
 ,augu/ #bg1 #bjai7 %all h ! =ce &      

effect ( law ) respect to ! use ( ! t]m 
=eseeable future4  7b7 ,habitat ,section
 #c7e7 ( ! ,endang]$ ,species ,act (    
#aigc 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #aecb7e77 is am5d$ 
by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3  7,d7 ,= !   
purposes ( designat+ critical habitat "u
 ?is ,act1 ! t]m habitat means ! abiotic
 & biotic sett+ t curr5tly or           
p]iodically conta9s ! res\rces &        
conditions necess>y to support #a or m  
life processes ( a species4  4  7c7     
,environm5tal basel9e ,section #g7;a7 ( 
! ,endang]$ ,species ,act ( #aigc 7#af  
,u4,s4,c4 #aecf7;a77 is am5d$ by add+ at
 ! end ! foll[+3  7#e7 ,= ! purposes (  
c>ry+ out a consultation "u ?is section 
) respect to a ?reat5$ species or an    
endang]$ species1 ! t]m environm5tal    
basel9e-- 7,a7 means ! condition ( !    
species or ! critical habitat ( !       
species 9 ! action area1 )\t !          
consequ5ces to ! species or ! critical  
habitat ( ! species caus$ by ! propos$  
action2 &  7,b7 includes-- 7i7 ! pa/ &  
pres5t effects ( all ,f$]al1 ,/ate1 &   

private actions & o!r human activities 9
 ! action area2  7ii7 ! anticipat$      
effects ( ea* propos$ ,f$]al project )9 
! action area = :i* a consultation "u   
?is section has be5 complet$2  7iii7 !  
effects ( ,/ate & private actions t are 
contemporane\s ) ! consultation 9       
process2 &  7iv7 ! ongo+ impacts to li/$
 species or designat$ critical habitat f
 exi/+ facilities or activities t are n 
caus$ by ! propos$ action or t are n )9 
! discretion ( ! ,f$]al action ag5cy to 
modify4  4  #c4 ,au?orization (         
appropriations ,section #ae ( !         
,endang]$ ,species ,act ( #aigc 7#af    
,u4,s4,c4 #aedb7 is am5d$--  7#a7 9     
subsection 7a7-- 7,a7 by /rik+          
subsection 7b71 7c71 & 7d7 & ins]t+     
subsections 7b7 & 7c72  7,b7 9 p>agraph 
7#a7-- 7i7 by /rik+ & aft] fiscal ye>   
#aiia12 &  7ii7 by ins]t+ 1 &           
#cjb1jbe1jjj = ea* ( fiscal ye>s #bjbe  
?r\gh #bjcj aft] fiscal ye> #aiib2  7,c7
 9 p>agraph 7#b7--  7i7 by /rik+ & aft] 
fiscal ye>s #aihi & #aiij12 &  7ii7 by  

ins]t+ 1 & #aaf1fcj1jjj = ea* ( fiscal  
ye>s #bjbe ?r\gh #bjcj aft] fiscal ye>s 
#aiia & #aiib2 &  7,d7 9 p>agraph 7#c7--
 7i7 by /rik+ & aft] fiscal ye>s #aihi &
 #aiij12 &  7ii7 by ins]t+ & #b1fjj1jjj 
= ea* ( fiscal ye>s #bjbe ?r\gh #bjcj   
aft] fiscal ye>s #aiia & #aiib12  7#b7 9
 subsection 7b71 by ins]t+ & #fjj1jjj = 
ea* ( fiscal ye>s #bjbe ?r\gh #bjcj aft]
 #aiib2 &  7#c7 9 subsection 7c7-- 7,a7 
by /rik+ & aft] fiscal ye>s #aihh1      
#aihi1 & #aiij12 &  7,b7 by ins]t+ &    
#i1ijj1jjj = ea* ( fiscal ye>s #bjbe    
?r\gh #bjcj1 aft] fiscal ye>s #aiia &   
#aiib14  #d4 ,rule ( con/ruction ,no?+ 9
 ?is ,act or ! am5dm5ts made by ?is ,act
 may be con/ru$ to enl>ge or dim9i% !   
au?ority1 jurisdiction1 or              
responsibility ( a ,/ate 7z t t]m is    
def9$ 9 section #c ( ! ,endang]$        
,species ,act ( #aigc 7#af ,u4,s4,c4    
#aecb77 to manage1 control1 or regulate 
fi% & wildlife on l&s & wat]s1 includ+  
,f$]al l&s & wat]s1 )9 ! ,/ate4  ,i     
,optimiz+ ,cons]vation ,?r\gh ,res\rce  

,prioritization  #aja4 ,prioritization (
 li/+ petitions1 reviews1 & det]m9ations
  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,section #d ( ! ,endang]$
 ,species ,act ( #aigc 7#af ,u4,s4,c4   
#aecc7 is am5d$ by add+ at ! end !      
foll[+3  7j7 ,national li/+ "w plan     
7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,n lat] ?an ! date        
describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#b71 ! ,secret>y   
%all submit to ,congress a national li/+
 "w plan t e/abli%es1 = ea* cov]$       
species1 a s*$ule = ! completion dur+ ! 
#e-;fiscal ye> p]iod beg9n+ on ,octob]  
#a ( ! fir/ fiscal ye> aft] ! date ( !  
submission ( ! "w plan (--  7,a7 f9d+s z
 describ$ 9 subsection 7b77#c77;,b7 =   
ea* su* cov]$ species2  7,b7 propos$ &  
f9al det]m9ations reg>d+ li/+ ea* su*   
cov]$ species "u ?is section2 &  7,c7   
propos$ & f9al critical habitat         
designations "u subsection 7a77#c7      
relat+ to ea* su* cov]$ species4  7#b7  
,submission to ,congress  7,a7 ,9 g5]al 
,! ,secret>y %all submit to ,congress-- 
7i7 toge!r ) ! budget reque/ ( !        
,secret>y = ! fir/ fiscal ye> t beg9s n 

less ?an #cfe days aft] ! date ( !      
enactm5t ( ?is subsection1 ! initial "w 
plan requir$ "u p>agraph 7#a72 &  7ii7  
toge!r ) ! budget reque/ ( ! ,secret>y =
 ea* fiscal ye> !reaft]1 an updat$ "w   
plan "u p>agraph 7#a74  7,b7 ,additional
 inclusions ,! ,secret>y %all include ) 
ea* budget reque/ ref]r$ to 9           
subp>agraph 7,a7 a description ( !      
am\nts to be reque/$ to c>ry out ! "w   
plan = ! fiscal ye> cov]$ by ! budget   
reque/1 includ+ any am\nts reque/$ to   
address em]g5cy li/+s if ! ,secret>y    
id5tifies any em]g5cy pos+ a significant
 risk to ! well-be+ ( any species ( fi% 
or wildlife or plant4  7#c7 ,priority   
7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,9 develop+ a "w plan "u  
?is subsection1 ! ,secret>y %all assign 
to ea* species includ$ 9 ! "w plan a    
priority classification ( ,priority #a  
?r\gh ,priority #e1 su* t1 z det]m9$ by 
! ,secret>y1 ! foll[+ apply3  7i7       
,priority #a repres5ts species ( !      
highe/ priority1 to be designat$ z      
critically imp]il$ & 9 ne$ ( imm$iate   

action4  7ii7 ,priority #b repres5ts    
species ) respect to :i* ! be/ sci5tific
 & comm]cial data available support a   
cle> decision reg>d+ ! /atus ( !        
species4  7iii7 ,priority #c repres5ts  
species ) respect to :i* /udies reg>d+ !
 /atus ( ! species are be+ c>ri$ out--  
7,i7 to answ] key que/ions t may        
influ5ce ! f9d+s ( a petition to li/ !  
species submitt$ "u subsection 7b77#c72 
&  7,,ii7 to resolve any unc]ta9ty      
reg>d+ ! /atus ( ! species )9 a         
reasonable timeframe4  7iv7 ,priority #d
 repres5ts species = :i* proactive      
cons]vation ef=ts likely to r$uce ?reats
 to ! species are be+ develop$ or c>ri$ 
out1 )9 a reasonable timeframe & 9 an   
organiz$ mann]1 by ,f$]al ag5cies1      
,/ates1 l&[n]s1 or o!r /akehold]s4  7v7 
,priority #e repres5ts species-- 7,i7 = 
:i* !re exi/s little in=mation reg>d+-- 
7aa7 ?reats to ! species2 or  7bb7 !    
/atus ( ! species2 or  7,,ii7 t w\ld    
receive limit$ cons]vation b5efit 9 !   
=eseeable future by li/+ ! species z a  

?reat5$ species or endang]$ species "u  
?is section4  7,b7 ,use ( me?odology ,! 
,secret>y %all e/abli% & assign priority
 classifications "u subp>agraph 7,a7 9  
accordance ) ! notice ( ! ,director ( ! 
,unit$ ,/ates ,fi% & ,wildlife ,s]vice  
titl$ #8,me?odology = ,prioritiz+ ,/atus
 ,reviews & ,accompany+ #ab-,mon? ,f9d+s
 on ,petitions = ,li/+ ,"u ! ,endang]$  
,species ,act' 7#ha ,f$4 ,reg4 #dibdh2  
publi%$ ,july #bg1 #bjaf74  7,c7        
,ext5sions = c]ta9 priority             
classifications  7i7 ,priority #c ,)    
respect to a species classifi$ z        
,priority #c "u subp>agraph 7,a77iii71  
if ! ,secret>y det]m9es t additional "t 
w\ld all[ = m complete data collection  
or ! completion ( /udies relat+ to !    
species1 ! ,secret>y may reta9 ! species
 "u ! "w plan = a p]iod ( n m ?an #e    
ye>s aft] ! deadl9e "u p>agraph 7#d74   
7ii7 ,priority #d ,) respect to a       
species classifi$ z ,priority #d "u     
subp>agraph 7,a77iv71 if ! ,secret>y    
det]m9es t exi/+ cons]vation ef=ts      

cont9ue to meet ! cons]vation ne$s ( !  
species1 ! ,secret>y may reta9 ! species
 "u ! "w plan = a p]iod ( n m ?an #e    
ye>s aft] ! deadl9e "u p>agraph 7#d74   
7iii7 ,priority #e ,) respect to a      
species classifi$ z ,priority #e "u     
subp>agraph 7,a77v71 ! ,secret>y may    
reta9 ! species "u ! "w plan = a p]iod (
 n m ?an #e ye>s aft] ! deadl9e "u      
p>agraph 7#d74  7,d7 ,revision (        
priority classification ,! ,secret>y may
 revise1 9 accordance ) subp>agraph     
7,a71 ! assignm5t to a priority         
classification ( a species includ$ 9 a  
"w plan at any "t dur+ ! fiscal ye>s to 
:i* ! "w plan applies4  7,e7 ,effect (  
priority classification ,! assignm5t ( a
 priority classification to a species   
includ$ 9 a "w plan is n a f9al ag5cy   
action4  7#d7 ,deadl9e ,! ,secret>y %all
 act on any petition to add a species to
 a li/ publi%$ "u subsection 7c7        
submitt$ "u subsection 7b77#c7 n lat]   
?an ! la/ day ( ! fiscal ye> specifi$ = 
t petition 9 ! mo/ rec5t "w plan4  7#e7 

,regulations ,! ,secret>y may issue su* 
regulations z ! ,secret>y det]m9es      
appropriate to c>ry out ?is subsection4 
7#f7 ,effect ( subsection ,no?+ 9 ?is   
subsection may be con/ru$ to preclude or
 o!rwise affect ! em]g5cy li/+ au?ority 
( ! ,secret>y "u subsection 7b77#g74    
7#g7 ,def9itions ,9 ?is subsection3 7,a7
 ,cov]$ species ,! t]m cov]$ species    
means a species t is n includ$ on a li/ 
publi%$ "u subsection 7c7--  7i7 = :i* a
 petition to add ! species to su* a li/ 
has be5 submitt$ "u subsection 7b77#c72 
or  7ii7 t is o!rwise "u consid]ation by
 ! ,secret>y = addition to su* a li/4   
7,b7 ,"w plan ,! t]m "w plan means !    
national li/+ "w plan submitt$ by !     
,secret>y "u p>agraph 7#a74  4  7b7     
,con=m+ am5dm5ts ,section #d7;b77#c7 ( !
 ,endang]$ ,species ,act ( #aigc 7#af   
,u4,s4,c4 #aecc7;b77#c77 is am5d$--     
7#a7 9 subp>agraph 7,b71 by /rik+ ,)9   
#ab mon?s & ins]t+ ,9 accordance ) !    
national li/+ "w plan submitt$ "u       
subsection 7j712 &  7#b7 9 subp>agraph  

7,c71 to read z foll[s3  7,c7 ,judicial 
review ,any negative f9d+ describ$ 9    
subp>agraph 7,a7 & any f9d+ describ$ 9  
subp>agraph 7,b77i77,i7 %all be subject 
to judicial review4  4  ,,ii ,inc5tiviz+
 ,wildlife ,cons]vation on ,private ,l&s
  #bja4 ,c&idate ,cons]vation ,agreem5ts
 ) ,assurances  7a7 ,li/+ det]m9ations  
,section #d7;b77#a7 ( ! ,endang]$       
,species ,act ( #aigc 7#af ,u4,s4,c4    
#aecc7;b77#a77 is am5d$ by add+ at ! end
 ! foll[+3  7,c7 ,c&idate ,cons]vation  
,agreem5ts ) ,assurances ,9 mak+ a      
det]m9ation "u subsection 7a77#a7 )     
respect to a species1 ! ,secret>y %all  
take into acc\nt & docum5t ! effect (   
any net cons]vation b5efit 7z t t]m is  
def9$ 9 subsection 7k7 ( section #aj7 ( 
any ,c&idate ,cons]vation ,agreem5t )   
,assurances or any programmatic ,c&idate
 ,cons]vation ,agreem5t ) ,assurances 7z
 ^? t]ms are def9$ 9 t subsection7      
relat+ to su* species4  4  7b7 ,c&idate 
,cons]vation ,agreem5ts ) ,assurances   
,section #aj ( ! ,endang]$ ,species ,act

 ( #aigc 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #aeci7 is am5d$ 
by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3  7k7 ,c&idate
 ,cons]vation ,agreem5ts ) ,assurances  
7#a7 ,propos$ ,agreem5t ,a cov]$ p>ty   
may submit a propos$ ,agreem5t to !     
,secret>y4  7#b7 ,approval ,n lat] ?an  
#abj days aft] ! date ( ! receipt ( a   
propos$ ,agreem5t "u p>agraph 7#a71 !   
,secret>y %all approve ! propos$        
,agreem5t if ! ,secret>y det]m9es t !   
propos$ ,agreem5t--  7,a7 sets =?       
specific managem5t activities t ! cov]$ 
p>ty w und]take to cons]ve ! cov]$      
species2  7,b7 provides a positive      
e/imate ( ! net cons]vation b5efit ( su*
 managem5t activities to ! cov]$        
species2  7,c7 describes1 to ! maximum  
ext5t practicable1 ! exi/+ population   
levels ( ! cov]$ species or ! exi/+     
quality ( habitat2  7,d7 includes a     
monitor+ plan to be c>ri$ out by !      
p>ties to ! ,agreem5t2 &  7,e7 provides 
assurances to ! cov]$ p>ty t no         
additional cons]vation measures w be    
requir$ & additional l&1 wat]1 or       

res\rce use re/rictions w n be impos$ on
 ! cov]$ p>ty if ! cov]$ species becomes
 li/$ aft] ! effective date ( su*       
,agreem5t4  7#c7 ,d5ial ,n lat] ?an #abj
 days aft] ! date ( ! receipt ( a       
propos$ ,agreem5t "u p>agraph 7#a71 !   
,secret>y %all--  7,a7 d5y ! propos$    
,agreem5t if ! ,secret>y det]m9es t !   
propos$ ,agreem5t does n meet !         
requirem5ts describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#b72 & 
7,b7 provide ! submitt+ cov]$ p>ty a    
writt5 explanation = su* det]m9ation & !
 adju/m5ts requir$ = ! ,secret>y to     
approve su* propos$ ,agreem5t4  7#d7    
,programmatic ,c&idate ,cons]vation     
,agreem5t ) ,assurances  7,a7 ,9 g5]al  
,! ,secret>y may ent] into a ,c&idate   
,cons]vation ,agreem5t ) ,assurances ) a
 cov]$ p>ty t au?orizes su* cov]$ p>ty--
 7i7 to adm9i/] su* ,c&idate            
,cons]vation ,agreem5t ) ,assurances2   
7ii7 to hold any p]mit issu$ "u ?is     
section ) reg>d to su* ,c&idate         
,cons]vation ,agreem5t ) ,assurances2   
7iii7 to enroll o!r cov]$ p>ties )9 !   

area cov]$ by su* ,c&idate ,cons]vation 
,agreem5t ) ,assurances 9 su* ,c&idate  
,cons]vation ,agreem5t ) ,assurances2 & 
7iv7 to convey any p]mit au?orization   
held by su* cov]$ p>ty "u clause 7ii7 to
 ea* cov]$ p>ty enroll$ "u clause 7iii74
  7,b7 ,publication ,^u receipt ( a     
propos$ programmatic ,c&idate           
,cons]vation ,agreem5t ) ,assurances "u 
p>agraph 7#a7 & be=e approv+ or d5y+ su*
 a propos$ programmatic ,c&idate        
,cons]vation ,agreem5t ) ,assurances "u 
p>agraph 7#b7 or 7#c71 respectively1 !  
,secret>y %all--  7i7 n lat] ?an #cj    
days aft] ! date ( su* receipt1 publi% !
 propos$ programmatic ,c&idate          
,cons]vation ,agreem5t ) ,assurances 9 !
 ,f$]al ,regi/] = public comm5t = a     
p]iod ( n less ?an #fj days2  7ii7      
review any comm5ts receiv$ "u clause    
7i72 &  7iii7 aft] ! close ( ! public   
comm5t p]iod = ! propos$ programmatic   
,c&idate ,cons]vation ,agreem5t )       
,assurances1 publi% 9 ! ,f$]al ,regi/]--
 7,i7 any comm5ts receiv$ "u clause 7i72

 &  7,,ii7 ! approval or d5ial ( !      
propos$ programmatic ,c&idate           
,cons]vation ,agreem5t ) ,assurances "u 
p>agraph 7#b7 or 7#c71 respectively4    
7#e7 ,incid5tal take au?orization ,if a 
cov]$ species is li/$ "u section #d1 !  
,secret>y %all issue a p]mit to !       
relevant cov]$ p>ty "u ?is section all[+
 incid5tal take ( & modification to !   
habitat ( su* cov]$ species consi/5t ) !
 ,agreem5t4  7#f7 ,te*nical assi/ance ,!
 ,secret>y %all1 ^u reque/1 provide a   
cov]$ p>ty ) te*nical assi/ance 9       
develop+ a propos$ ,agreem5t4  7#g7     
,applicability to ,f$]al l& ,an         
,agreem5t may apply to a cov]$ p>ty t   
conducts activities on l& adm9i/]$ by   
any ,f$]al ag5cy pursuant to a p]mit or 
lease issu$ to ! cov]$ p>ty by t ,f$]al 
ag5cy4  7#h7 ,exemption f consultation  
requirem5t ,an ,agreem5t approv$ "u ?is 
subsection %all be deem$ to h be5 grant$
 an exemption "u section #g7;h7 = !     
purposes ( t section4  7#i7 ,exemption f
 disclosure ,in=mation submitt$ by a    

private p>ty to ! ,secret>y "u ?is      
subsection %all be exempt f disclosure  
"u section #eeb7;b77#c77;,b7 ( title #e1
 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code4  7#aj7 ,def9itions
 ,9 ?is subsection3 7,a7 ,agreem5t ,!   
t]m ,agreem5t means--  7i7 a ,c&idate   
,cons]vation ,agreem5t ) ,assurances2 or
  7ii7 a programmatic ,c&idate          
,cons]vation ,agreem5t ) ,assurances4   
7,b7 ,c&idate ,cons]vation ,agreem5t )  
,assurances ,! t]m ,c&idate ,cons]vation
 ,agreem5t ) ,assurances means any      
volunt>y agreem5t1 includ+ a cons]vation
 b5efit agreem5t1 betwe5 ! ,secret>y & a
 cov]$ p>ty 9 :i*-- 7i7 ! cov]$ p>ty    
commits to implem5t+ mutually agre$ ^u  
cons]vation measures = a c&idate        
species2 &  7ii7 ! ,secret>y provides   
assurances t1 if su* c&idate species is 
li/$ pursuant to section #d-- 7,i7 !    
cov]$ p>ty %all incur no additional     
obligations beyond actions agre$ to 9 ! 
agreem5t ) respect to cons]vation       
activities requir$ "u ?is ,act2 &       
7,,ii7 no additional l&1 wat]1 or       

res\rce use re/rictions %all be impos$  
on ! cov]$ p>ty beyond ^? includ$ 9 !   
agreem5t4  7,c7 ,c&idate species ,! t]m 
c&idate species means a species--  7i7  
designat$ by ! ,secret>y z a c&idate    
species "u ?is ,act2 or  7ii7 propos$ to
 be li/$ pursuant to section #d4  7,d7  
,cov]$ p>ty ,! t]m cov]$ p>ty means a-- 
7i7 p>ty t conducts activities on l&    
adm9i/]$ by a ,f$]al ag5cy pursuant to a
 p]mit or lease issu$ to ! p>ty2  7ii7  
private prop]ty own]2  7iii7 c\nty2     
7iv7 ,/ate or ,/ate ag5cy2 or  7v7      
,tribal gov]nm5t4  7,e7 ,cov]$ species  
,! t]m cov]$ species means1 ) respect to
 an ,agreem5t1 ! species t is ! subject 
( su* ,agreem5t4  7,f7 ,net cons]vation 
b5efit ,! t]m net cons]vation b5efit    
means ! net effect ( an ,agreem5t1      
det]m9$ by comp>+ ! exi/+ situation ( ! 
c&idate species )\t ! ,agreem5t 9 effect
 & a situation 9 :i* ! ,agreem5t is 9   
effect1 on a c&idate species1 includ+-- 
7i7 ! net effect on ?reats to su*       
species2  7ii7 ! net effect on ! numb] (

 individuals ( su* species2 or  7iii7 ! 
net effect on ! habitat ( su* species4  
7,g7 ,programmatic ,c&idate ,cons]vation
 ,agreem5t ) ,assurances ,! t]m         
programmatic ,c&idate ,cons]vation      
,agreem5t ) ,assurances means a ,c&idate
 ,cons]vation ,agreem5t ) ,assurances   
describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#d77;,a74  4  #bjb4
 ,designation ( critical habitat  7a7   
,privately own$ or controll$ l& ,section
 #d7;a77#c7 ( ! ,endang]$ ,species ,act 
( #aigc 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #aecc7;a77#c77 is
 am5d$ by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3  7,c7 
,privately own$ or controll$ l& ,!      
,secret>y may n designate z critical    
habitat "u subp>agraph 7,a7 any         
privately own$ or controll$ l& or o!r   
geographical area t is subject to a l&  
managem5t plan t--  7i7 ! ,secret>y     
det]m9es is simil> 9 nature to an       
integrat$ natural res\rces managem5t    
plan describ$ 9 section #aja ( ! ,sikes 
,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #fgj;a72  7ii7 7,i7 
is prep>$ 9 coop]ation ) ! ,secret>y & !
 head ( ea* applicable ,/ate fi% &      

wildlife ag5cy ( ea* ,/ate 9 :i* su* l& 
or o!r geographical area is locat$2 or  
7,,ii7 is submitt$ to ! ,secret>y 9 a   
mann] t is simil> to ! mann] 9 :i* an   
applicant submits a cons]vation plan to 
! ,secret>y "u section #aj7;a77#b77;,a72
  7iii7 includes an activity or a       
limitation on an activity t ! ,secret>y 
det]m9es w likely cons]ve ! species     
conc]n$2  7iv7 ! ,secret>y det]m9es w   
result 9-- 7,i7 an increase 9 !         
population ( ! species conc]n$ above !  
population ( su* species on ! date t su*
 species is li/$ z a ?reat5$ species or 
an endang]$ species2 or  7,,ii7 ma9ta9+ 
! same population ( su* species on ! l& 
or o!r geographical area z ! population 
t w\ld likely occur if su* l& or o!r    
geographical area is designat$ z        
critical habitat2 &  7v7 to ! maximum   
ext5t practicable1 w m9imize & mitigate 
! impacts ( any activity t w likely     
result 9 an incid5tal tak+ ( ! species  
conc]n$4  4  7b7 ,designation           
consid]ations ,section #d7;b77#b7 ( !   

,endang]$ ,species ,act ( #aigc 7#af    
,u4,s4,c4 #aecc7;b77#b77 is am5d$ 9 !   
fir/ s5t5ce by ins]t+ ! impact on exi/+ 
ef=ts ( private l&[n]s to cons]ve !     
species1 aft] impact on national        
security14  ,,iii ,provid+ = ,great]    
,inc5tives to ,recov] ,li/$ ,species    
#cja4 ,protective regulations "u        
,endang]$ ,species ,act ( #aigc  7a7    
,am5dm5t to def9ition ,section #c7c7 ( !
 ,endang]$ ,species ,act ( #aigc 7#af   
,u4,s4,c4 #aecb7c77 is am5d$ by /rik+ & 
transplantation1 &1 9 ! extraord9>y case
 :]e population pressures )9 a giv5     
ecosy/em _c be o!rwise reliev$1 may     
include & ins]t+ transplantation1 &1 at 
! discretion ( ! ,secret>y14  7b7       
,protective regulations ,section #d ( ! 
,endang]$ ,species ,act ( #aigc 7#af    
,u4,s4,c4 #aecc7 is am5d$-- 7#a7 9      
subsection 7d71 to read z foll[s3  7d7  
,protective regulations  7#a7 ,9 g5]al  
,:5ev] any species is li/$ z a ?reat5$  
species pursuant to subsection 7c71 !   
,secret>y %all issue su* regulations z  

are necess>y & advisable to provide = ! 
cons]vation ( t species4  7#b7 ,recov]y 
goals ,if ! ,secret>y issues a          
regulation "u p>agraph 7#a7 t prohibits 
an act describ$ 9 section #i7;a71 !     
,secret>y %all1 ) respect to ! species t
 is ! subject ( su* regulation--  7,a7  
e/abli% objective1 increm5tal recov]y   
goals2  7,b7 provide = ! /r+5cy ( su*   
regulation to decrease z su* recov]y    
goals are met2 &  7,c7 provide = ,/ate  
managem5t )9 su* ,/ate1 if su* ,/ate is 
will+ to take on su* managem5t1 beg9n+  
on ! date on :i* ! ,secret>y det]m9es   
all su* recov]y goals are met &1 if su* 
recov]y goals rema9 met1 cont9u+ until  
su* species is remov$ f ! li/ ( ?reat5$ 
species publi%$ pursuant to subsection  
7c74  7#c7 ,coop]ative agreem5t ,a      
regulation issu$ "u p>agraph 7#a7 t     
prohibits an act describ$ 9 section     
#i7;a7 ) respect to a resid5t species   
%all apply ) respect to a ,/ate t has   
ent]$ into a coop]ative agreem5t ) !    
,secret>y pursuant to section #f7;c7    

only to ! ext5t t su* regulation is     
adopt$ by su* ,/ate4  7#d7 ,/ate recov]y
 /rategy  7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,a ,/ate may    
develop a recov]y /rategy = a ?reat5$   
species or a c&idate species & submit to
 ! ,secret>y a petition = ! ,secret>y to
 use su* recov]y /rategy z ! basis = any
 regulation issu$ "u p>agraph 7#a7 )    
respect to su* species )9 su* ,/ate4    
7,b7 ,approval or d5ial ( petition ,n   
lat] ?an #abj days aft] ! date on :i* ! 
,secret>y receives a petition submitt$  
"u subp>agraph 7,a71 ! ,secret>y %all-- 
7i7 approve su* petition if ! ,secret>y 
det]m9es ! recov]y /rategy is reasonably
 c]ta9 to be implem5t$ by ! petition+   
,/ate & to be effective 9 cons]v+ !     
species t is ! subject ( su* recov]y    
/rategy2 or  7ii7 d5y su* petition if ! 
requirem5ts describ$ 9 clause 7i7 are n 
met4  7,c7 ,publication ,n lat] ?an #cj 
days aft] ! date on :i* ! ,secret>y     
approves or d5ies a petition "u         
subp>agraph 7,b71 ! ,secret>y %all      
publi% su* approval or d5ial 9 ! ,f$]al 

,regi/]4  7,d7 ,d5ial ( petition  7i7   
,writt5 explanation ,if ! ,secret>y     
d5ies a petition "u subp>agraph 7,b71 ! 
,secret>y %all include 9 su* d5ial a    
writt5 explanation = su* d5ial1 includ+ 
a description ( ! *anges to su* petition
 t are necess>y = ! ,secret>y to approve
 su* petition4  7ii7 ,resubmission (    
d5i$ petition ,a ,/ate may resubmit a   
petition t is d5i$ "u subp>agraph 7,b74 
7,e7 ,use 9 protective regulations ,if !
 ,secret>y approves a petition "u       
subp>agraph 7,b71 ! ,secret>y %all--    
7i7 issue a regulation "u p>agraph 7#a7 
t adopts ! recov]y /rategy z su*        
regulation ) respect to ! species t is !
 subject ( su* recov]y /rategy )9 !     
petition+ ,/ate2 &  7ii7 e/abli%        
objective crit]ia to evaluate !         
effectiv5ess ( su* recov]y /rategy 9    
cons]v+ su* species )9 su* ,/ate4  7,f7 
,revision ,if a recov]y /rategy t is    
adopt$ z a regulation issu$ "u p>agraph 
7#a7 is det]m9$ by ! ,secret>y to be    
ineffective 9 cons]v+ ! species t is !  

subject ( su* recov]y /rategy 9         
accordance ) ! objective crit]ia        
e/abli%$ "u subp>agraph 7,e77ii7 = su*  
recov]y /rategy1 ! ,secret>y %all revise
 su* regulation & reissue su* regulation
 9 accordance ) p>agraph 7#a74  2 &     
7#b7 9 subsection 7f77#a77;,b7--  7,a7 9
 clause 7ii71 by /rik+ & at ! end2  7,b7
 9 clause 7iii71 by /rik+ ! p]iod at !  
end & ins]t+ 2 &2 &  7,c7 by add+ at !  
end ! foll[+3  7iv7 ) respect to an     
endang]$ species1 objective1 increm5tal 
recov]y goals 9 accordance ) subsection 
7d77#b77;,a7 = use "u t subsection if   
su* endang]$ species is *ang$ 9 /atus f 
an endang]$ species to a ?reat5$ species
 "u subsection 7c77#b77;,b77ii74  4     
#cjb4 #e-ye> review det]m9ations        
,section #d7;c7 ( ! ,endang]$ ,species  
,act ( #aigc 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #aecc7;c77  
is am5d$ by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3     
7#c7 ,n lat] ?an #cj days aft] ! date on
 :i* ! ,secret>y makes a det]m9ation "u 
p>agraph 7#b77;,b71 ! ,secret>y %all    
initiate a rulemak+ to c>ry out su*     

det]m9ation4  4  #cjc4 ,judicial review 
dur+ monitor+ p]iod ,section #d7;g7 ( ! 
,endang]$ ,species ,act ( #aigc 7#af    
,u4,s4,c4 #aecc7;g77 is am5d$ by add+ at
 ! end ! foll[+3  7#c7 ,! removal ( a   
species f a li/ publi%$ "u subsection   
7c77#a7 is n subject to judicial review 
dur+ ! p]iod e/abli%$ "u p>agraph 7#a7 )
 respect to ! species4  4  #cjd4        
,codification ( regulation ,! f9al rule 
titl$ ,endang]$ & ,?reat5$ ,wildlife &  
,plants2 ,regulations = ,prohibitions to
 ,?reat5$ ,wildlife & ,plants 7#hd ,f$4 
,reg4 #ddgec2 publi%$ ,augu/ #bg1 #bjai7
 %all h ! =ce & effect ( law4  ,,iv     
,creat+ ,great] ,transp>5cy &           
,acc\ntability 9 ,recov]+ ,li/$ ,species
  #dja4 ,requirem5t to publi% basis =   
li/+s on ,int]net ,section #d7;b7 ( !   
,endang]$ ,species ,act ( #aigc 7#af    
,u4,s4,c4 #aecc7;b77 is am5d$ by add+ at
 ! end ! foll[+3  7#i7 ,! ,secret>y %all
 make publicly available on ! ,int]net !
 be/ sci5tific & comm]cial data         
available t are us$ z ! basis = ea*     

regulation1 includ+ ea* propos$         
regulation1 promulgat$ "u subsection    
7a77#a71 except t-- 7,a7 at ! reque/ ( a
 ,gov]nor1 ,/ate ag5cy1 or legislature (
 a ,/ate1 ! ,secret>y may n make su*    
data available "u ?is p>agraph if su*   
entity det]m9es t public disclosure (   
su* data is prohibit$ by a law or       
regulation ( su* ,/ate1 includ+ any law 
or regulation requir+ ! protection (    
p]sonal in=mation2 &  7,b7 n lat] ?an   
#cj days aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is 
p>agraph1 ! ,secret>y %all execute an   
agreem5t ) ! ,secret>y ( ,def5se t      
prev5ts ! disclosure ( classifi$        
in=mation p]ta9+ to ,dep>tm5t ( ,def5se 
p]sonnel1 facilities1 l&s1 or wat]s4  4 
#djb4 ,decisional transp>5cy & use (    
,/ate1 ,tribal1 & local in=mation  7a7  
,requir+ decisional transp>5cy ) affect$
 ,/ates ,section #f7;a7 ( ! ,endang]$   
,species ,act ( #aigc 7#af ,u4,s4,c4    
#aece7;a77 is am5d$--  7#a7 by ins]t+   
7#a7 be=e ! fir/ s5t5ce2 &  7#b7 by     
/rik+ ,su* coop]ation %all include &    

ins]t+ ! foll[+3  7#b7 ,su* coop]ation  
%all include-- 7,a7 be=e mak+ a         
det]m9ation "u section #d7;a71 provid+  
to ,/ates affect$ by su* det]m9ation all
 data t is ! basis ( ! det]m9ation2 &   
7,b7  4  7b7 ,ensur+ use ( ,/ate1       
,tribal1 & local in=mation  7#a7 ,9     
g5]al ,section #c ( ! ,endang]$ ,species
 ,act ( #aigc 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #aecb7 is  
am5d$-- 7,a7 by r$esignat+ p>agraphs    
7#b7 ?r\gh 7#aj7 z p>agraphs 7#c7 ?r\gh 
7#aa71 respectively2 &  7,b7 by ins]t+  
aft] p>agraph 7#a7 ! foll[+3  7#b7 ,!   
t]m be/ sci5tific & comm]cial data      
available includes data submitt$ to !   
,secret>y by a ,/ate1 ,tribal1 or c\nty 
gov]nm5t4  4  7#b7 ,con=m+ am5dm5t      
,section #g7n7 ( ! ,endang]$ ,species   
,act ( #aigc 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #aecf7n77 is
 am5d$ by /rik+ section #c7ac7 & ins]t+ 
section #c7ad74  #djc4 ,disclosure (    
exp5ditures "u ,endang]$ ,species ,act (
 #aigc  7a7 ,requirem5t ,to disclose    
,section #ac ( ! ,endang]$ ,species ,act
 ( #aigc 7#hg ,/at4 #ijb7 is am5d$ to   

read z foll[s3  #ac4 ,disclosure (      
exp5ditures  7a7 ,requirem5t ,!         
,secret>y ( ! ,int]ior1 9 consultation )
 ! ,secret>y ( ,comm]ce1 %all-- 7#a7 n  
lat] ?an #ij days aft] ! end ( ea*      
fiscal ye>1 submit to ! ,committee on   
,natural ,res\rces ( ! ,h\se (          
,repres5tatives & ! ,committee on       
,environm5t & ,public ,works ( ! ,s5ate 
an annual report detail+ ,f$]al         
,gov]nm5t exp5ditures = cov]$ suits dur+
 ! prec$+ fiscal ye> 7includ+ !         
in=mation describ$ 9 subsection 7b772 & 
7#b7 make publicly available ?r\gh !    
,int]net a se>*able database1 updat$    
mon?ly1 ( ! in=mation describ$ 9        
subsection 7b74  7b7 ,includ$ in=mation 
,! report %all include--  7#a7 ! case "n
 & numb] ( ea* cov]$ suit1 &1 ) respect 
to ea* su* cov]$ suit1 a hyp]l9k to ea* 
settlem5t decision1 f9al decision1      
cons5t decree1 /ipulation ( dismissal1  
release1 int]im decision1 motion to     
dismiss1 p>tial motion = summ>y         
judgem5t1 or relat$ f9al docum5t2  7#b7 

a description ( ea* claim or cause (    
action 9 ea* cov]$ suit2  7#c7 ! "n (   
ea* cov]$ ag5cy ! actions ( :i* give    
rise to any claim 9 a cov]$ suit & ea*  
pla9tiff 9 su* suit2  7#d7 funds exp5d$ 
by ea* cov]$ ag5cy 7disaggregat$ by     
ag5cy acc\nt7 to receive & respond to   
notices ref]r$ to 9 section #aa7;g77#b7 
or to prep>e = litigation (1 litigate1  
negotiate a settlem5t agreem5t or cons5t
 decree 91 or provide mat]ial1 te*nical1
 or o!r assi/ance 9 relation to1 a cov]$
 suit2  7#e7 ! numb] ( full-"t equival5t
 employees t p>ticipat$ 9 ! activities  
describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#d72  7#f7 any     
in=mation requir$ to be publi%$ "u      
section #acjd ( title #ca1 ,unit$ ,/ates
 ,code1 ) respect to a cov]$ suit2 &    
7#g7 attorneys fees & o!r exp5ses       
7disaggregat$ by ag5cy acc\nt7 aw>d$ 9  
cov]$ suits1 includ+ any cons5t decrees 
or settlem5t agreem5ts 7reg>dless ( :e!r
 a decree or settlem5t agreem5t is seal$
 or o!rwise subject to nondisclosure    
provisions71 includ+ ! basis = su*      

aw>ds4  7c7 ,requirem5t ,to provide     
in=mation ,! head ( ea* cov]$ ag5cy %all
 provide to ! ,secret>y 9 a timely mann]
 all in=mation reque/$ by ! ,secret>y to
 comply ) ! requirem5ts ( ?is section4  
7d7 ,limitation on disclosure ,not)/&+  
any o!r provision ( ?is section1 ?is    
section %all n affect any re/riction 9 a
 cons5t decree or settlem5t agreem5t on 
! disclosure ( in=mation t is n describ$
 9 subsection 7b74  7e7 ,def9itions ,9  
?is section3  7#a7 ,cov]$ ag5cy ,! t]m  
cov]$ ag5cy means any ag5cy ( !-- 7,a7  
,dep>tm5t ( ! ,int]ior2  7,b7 ,=e/      
,s]vice2  7,c7 ,environm5tal ,protection
 ,ag5cy2  7,d7 ,national ,m>9e ,fi%]ies 
,s]vice2  7,e7 ,bonneville ,p[]         
,adm9i/ration2  7,f7 ,we/]n ,area ,p[]  
,adm9i/ration2  7,g7 ,s\?we/]n ,p[]     
,adm9i/ration2 or  7,h7 ,s\!a/]n ,p[]   
,adm9i/ration4  7#b7 ,cov]$ suit ,! t]m 
cov]$ suit means--  7,a7 any civil      
action conta9+ any claim aris+ "u ?is   
,act aga9/ ! ,f$]al ,gov]nm5t & bas$ on 
! action ( a cov]$ ag5cy2 &  7,b7 any   

adm9i/rative proce$+ "u :i* ! ,unit$    
,/ates aw>ds fees & o!r exp5ses to a    
?ird p>ty "u section #ejd ( title #e1   
,unit$ ,/ates ,code4  4  7b7 ,cl]ical   
am5dm5t ,! table ( cont5ts 9 ! fir/     
section ( ! ,endang]$ ,species ,act (   
#aigc 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #aeca note7 is     
am5d$ by /rik+ ! item relat+ to section 
#ac & ins]t+ ! foll[+3  ,sec4 #ac4      
,disclosure ( exp5ditures4  4  #djd4    
,aw>d ( litigation co/s to prevail+     
p>ties 9 accordance ) exi/+ law ,section
 #aa7;g77#d7 ( ! ,endang]$ ,species ,act
 ( #aigc 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #aedj7;g77#d77  
is am5d$ by /rik+ to any p>ty1 :5ev] !  
c\rt det]m9es su* aw>d is appropriate & 
ins]t+ 9 accordance ) section #bdab (   
title #bh1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code & section
 #ejd ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code4  
#dje4 ,analysis ( impacts & b5efits (   
det]m9ation ( endang]$ or ?reat5$ /atus 
,section #d7;a7 ( ! ,endang]$ ,species  
,act ( #aigc 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #aecc7;a77  
is am5d$ by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3     
7#d7 ,analysis ( effects ( det]m9ation  

7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,secret>y %all1        
concurr5tly ) mak+ a det]m9ation "u     
p>agraph 7#a7 t a species is a ?reat5$  
species or an endang]$ species1 prep>e  
an analysis ) respect to su* det]m9ation
 (--  7i7 ! economic effect2  7ii7 !    
effects on national security2 &  7iii7  
any o!r relevant effect4  7,b7 ,effect  
,no?+ 9 ?is p>agraph %all delay a       
det]m9ation made by ! ,secret>y "u      
p>agraph 7#a7 or *ange ! crit]ia us$ by 
! ,secret>y to make su* a det]m9ation4  
4  ,v ,limitation on ,reasonable &      
,prud5t ,measures  #eja4 ,limitation on 
reasonable & prud5t measures ,section   
#g7;b77#d7 ( ! ,endang]$ ,species ,act (
 #aigc 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #aecf7;b77#d77 is 
am5d$ by ins]t+ & t d n propose1        
recomm5d1 or require ! ,f$]al ag5cy or !
 applicant conc]n$1 if any1 to mitigate 
or (fset su* impact aft] m9imize su*    
impact4  ,decemb] #af1 #bjbd ,report$ ) 
an am5dm5t1 committ$ to ! ,committee ( !
 ,:ole ,h\se on ! ,/ate ( ! ,union1 &   
ord]$ to be pr9t$