The Endangered Species Act

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) protects threatened and endangered species and the habitats essential to their survival and recovery. NOAA Fisheries and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service help federal agencies such as USACE comply with the ESA by issuing biological opinions. These documents describe how a project may affect ESA-listed species and identify the conditions under which the action may proceed.

Biological opinions specify an allowable level of incidental “take”—such as harm, harassment, capture, or mortality—and the monitoring needed to document it. Observations, captures, and incidents recorded in ODESS support take accounting and help demonstrate compliance with applicable requirements.