Endangered Species Deskbook, Second Edition (Environmental Law Institute)

Product Description
This is a guide through the maze of the Endangered Species Act - and the regulations and court decisions it has spawned."The Endangered Species Deskbook" is a comprehensive reference to one of the most complex and heavily litigated environmental statutes ever enacted by the U.S. Congress. The Endangered Species Act, passed in 1973, requires all federal departments and agencies to conserve endangered and threatened species by utilizing their authorities in furtherance of the act's purposes. Because the ESA takes a broad approach to species protection, it has had major impacts, especially on private property rights and economic development. It has also been a lightning rod for debate over human impacts on the biodiversity of the U.S. ecosystem. More recently, the effects of climate change on imperiled species have become hotly contested as Congress considers legislation intended to combat global warming.This new edition of the "Deskbook" updates the previous edition's comprehensive discussion of the law by adding a new chapter on climate change and addressing the latest ESA-related developments, such as the proposed listing of the polar bear as an endangered species. This second edition also includes appendixes that detail key laws, policies, regulations, and contact information for easy reference.By explaining the ESA's complicated history and implementation - along with ensuing agency regulations and court decisions - the "Deskbook" provides a practical guide for interpreting the Act. It is particularly valuable in outlining the steps that are needed for compliance with ESA and agency regulations. Like its predecessor, this new edition offers a wealth of information for practitioners, policy makers, and all citizens interested in the issues surrounding species conservation.

About The Author
Lawrence R. Liebesman, partner with the law firm of Holland & Knight, has more than thirty years experience as an environmental attorney and litigator. He is a frequent author and lecturer on environmental topics and has participated in landmark Supreme Court cases under the Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts. Rafe Petersen primarily practices in the area of environmental compliance and litigation, with an emphasis on the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, the National Environmental Policy Act and resource issues.