Reauthorizing and amending the MMPA and ESA: Issues, status, and prospects in the 107th Congress

Abstract

The CRS has provided specialized research and policy analysis to the Congress for more than 80 years. As a legislative branch agency, the CRS works exclusively for Members of Congress, Committees, and Congressional staff on a confidential, nonpartisan basis. The CRS analytical staff are internationally-recognized experts who apply multidisciplinary expertise at all stages of the legislative process to assist Congress in identifying, analyzing, and formulating legislative proposals as well as responding to constituent needs. The 107th Congress is considering whether to reauthorize and amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA). Major issues in recent years have focused on whether to incorporate further protection for property owners and reduce regulatory impacts, or whether to strengthen species protections through a variety of procedural changes. The authorization of appropriations for the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) expired at the end of FY1999. The issue for the 107th Congress is whether, and if so under what conditions, to reauthorize and amend this Act to reflect and address the concerns of various interest groups. For both the ESA and MMPA, issues capturing congressional attention will be identified, the current status of legislation to address these issues will be summarized, and the prospects for enactment will be discussed.