Endangered Species
Since its enactment in 1973, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) has helped prevent the extinction of some threatened and endangered species, while providing ancillary benefits to other sensitive species. States possess broad trustee and police powers over fish and wildlife within their borders, including those found on federal lands. With the exception of marine mammals, states retain concurrent jurisdiction even where Congress has limited state authority, as in the case of endangered species.

Governors applaud the intent of ESA and recognize that appropriate changes in the act can enhance species and habitat protection and help rebuild public support and enthusiasm for the maintenance of biological diversity. These changes include:

• A system of incentives to encourage state and local governments to develop comprehensive land-use and development plans that balance habitat preservation and environmental concerns with necessary development and economic growth;
• Enhanced funding to address the growing list of threatened and endangered species;
• A clear methodology for delisting recovered species; and
• More meaningful opportunities for states to comment, participate, or take the lead before the federal government makes any number of decisions under ESA.

Invasive Species
There are more than 6,500 invasive species known to be present in the United States and its territories.
These organisms – whether plants, animals, insects or pathogens – displace native species and disrupt natural ecosystems, damage our economies and pose risks to plant, animal and human health. Their continued and increasing spread causes severe ecological and economic problems and poses significant risks for the future. Studies estimate that invasive species cost the U.S. economy more than $137 billion annually. In addition, invasive species are implicated in the decline of 46 percent of the species listed in the Endangered Species Act and are indirectly responsible for regulatory constraints that listing poses for human activity.

Official NGA Policy

• NR-12. Endangered Species Act
• NR-22. Improved Cooperative Management of Invasive Species

Committee Letters

• NGA Letter on Appropriations Including the State Wildlife and Endangered Species Grant Programs
  May 26, 2005 letter (from Governor Murkowski and Governor Freudenthal) to Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and Related Agencies Chairman Burns and Ranking Member Dorgan urging adequate funding of the Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund (SRF), Stateside Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), and State Wildlife and Endangered Species Grant Programs for Fiscal Year 2006.