This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original “this Act”, meaning Pub. L. 93–205, Dec. 28, 1973, 81 Stat. 884, known as the Endangered Species Act of 1973, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1531 of this title and Tables.

Reorganization Plan Numbered 4 of 1970, referred to in par. (15), is Reorg. Plan No. 4 of 1970, eff. Oct. 3, 1970, 35 F.R. 15627, 84 Stat. 2090, which is set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

1988—Par. (13). Pub. L. 100–478, § 1001(a), amended par. (13) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (13) read as follows: “The term ‘person’ means an individual, corporation, partnership, trust, association, or any other private entity, or any officer, employee, agent, department, or instrumentality of the Federal Government, of any State or political subdivision thereof, or of any foreign government.”

Par. (15). Pub. L. 100–478, § 1001(b), inserted “also” before “means the Secretary of Agriculture”.

1982—Par. (11). Pub. L. 97–304 struck out par. (11) which defined “irresolvable conflict” as, with respect to any action authorized, funded, or carried out by a Federal agency, a set of circumstances under which, after consultation as required in section 1536(a) of this title, completion of such action would violate section 1536(a)(2) of this title.

1979—Par. (11). Pub. L. 96–159 substituted “action would violate section 1536(a)(2) of this title” for “action would (A) jeopardize the continued existence of an endangered or threatened species, or (B) result in the adverse modification or destruction of a critical habitat”.

1978—Pars. (1) to (4). Pub. L. 95–632, § 2(1), (7), added par. (1) and redesignated former pars. (1) to (3) as (2) to (4), respectively. Former par. (4) redesignated (6).

Par. (5). Pub. L. 95–632, § 2(2), (7), added par. (5). Former par. (5) redesignated (8).

Par. (6). Pub. L. 95–632, § 2(7), redesignated former par. (4) as (6). Former par. (6) redesignated (9).

Par. (7). Pub. L. 95–632, § 2(3), (7), added par. (7). Former par. (7) redesignated (10).

Pars. (8) to (10). Pub. L. 95–632, § 2(7), redesignated former pars. (5) to (7) as (8) to (10), respectively. Former pars. (8) to (10) redesignated (13) to (15), respectively.

Pars. (11), (12). Pub. L. 95–632, § 2(4), (7), added pars. (11) and (12). Former pars. (11) and (12) redesignated (16) and (17), respectively.

Pars. (13) to (15). Pub. L. 95–632, § 2(7), redesignated former pars. (8) to (10) as (13) to (15), respectively. Former pars. (13) to (15) redesignated as (18) to (20), respectively.

Par. (16). Pub. L. 95–632, § 2(5), (7), redesignated former par. (11) as (16) and substituted “and any distinct population segment of any species of vertebrate fish or wildlife which interbreeds when mature” for “and any other group of fish or wildlife of the same species or smaller taxa in common spatial arrangement that interbreed when mature”. Former par. (16) redesignated (21).

Par. (17). Pub. L. 95–632, § 2(7), redesignated former par. (12) as (17).

Par. (18). Pub. L. 95–632, § 2(6), (7), redesignated former par. (13) as (18) and substituted “fish, plant, or wildlife” for “fish or wildlife”.

Pars. (19) to (21). Pub. L. 95–632, § 2(7), redesignated pars. (14) to (16) as (19) to (21), respectively.

1976—Par. (1). Pub. L. 94–359 inserted “: Provided, however, That it does not include exhibition of commodities by museums or similar cultural or historical organizations.” after “facilitating such buying and selling”.

For termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, see note set out preceding section 1681 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions.