16 U.S.C. § 2902: Definitions

Summary

Defines key words used in the chapter about conserving fish and wildlife. "Approved conservation plan" is a State conservation plan that the Secretary approves under section 2904(a). "Conservation plan" is a State plan that meets the rules in section 2903. "Conserve," "conserving," and "conservation" mean using whatever methods are needed to protect and improve wild fish and wildlife and their habitats for public benefit; this can include things like research, counts, law enforcement, habitat work, education, breeding, trapping, moving animals, and helping private landowners. "Designated State agency" is the State commission, department, division, or other agency that has the main legal authority for fish and wildlife; if more than one agency has authority, each handles its part but they submit one plan. "Fish and wildlife" are wild, free vertebrate animals, including nongame species. "Nongame fish and wildlife" are wild, free vertebrates not usually taken for sport, fur, or food, not listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531–1543), and not marine mammals under section 1362(5) of this title; it does not include domesticated species that have gone feral. "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Interior. "State" includes the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Title 16, §2902

Conservation, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

As used in this chapter—

(1)The term “approved conservation plan” means the conservation plan of a State approved by the Secretary pursuant to section 2904(a) of this title.

(2)The term “conservation plan” means a plan developed by a State for the conservation of fish and wildlife which meets the requirements set forth in section 2903 of this title.

(3)The terms “conserve”, “conserving”, and “conservation” mean to use, and the use of, such methods and procedures which are necessary to ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, the well being and enhancement of fish and wildlife and their habitats for the ecological, educational, esthetic, cultural, recreational, and scientific enrichment of the public. Such methods and procedures may include, but are not limited to, any activity associated with scientific resources management, such as research, census, law enforcement, habitat acquisition, maintenance, development, information, education, population manipulation, propagation, technical assistance to private landowners, live trapping, and transplantation.

(4)The term “designated State agency” means the commission, department, division, or other agency of a State which has primary legal authority for the conservation of fish and wildlife. If any State has placed such authority in more than one agency, such term means each such agency acting with respect to its assigned responsibilities but such agencies, for purposes of this chapter, shall submit a single conservation plan.

(5)The term “fish and wildlife” means wild vertebrate animals that are in an unconfined state, including, but not limited to, nongame fish and wildlife.

(6)The term “nongame fish and wildlife” means wild vertebrate animals that are in an unconfined state and that—

(A)are not ordinarily taken for sport, fur, or food, except that if under applicable State law, any of such animals may be taken for sport, fur, or food in some, but not all, areas of the State, any of such animals within any area of the State in which such taking is not permitted may be deemed to be nongame fish and wildlife;

(B)are not listed as endangered species or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531–1543); and

(C)are not marine mammals within the meaning of section 1362(5) of this title.

Such term does not include any domesticated species that has reverted to a feral existence.

(7)The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Interior.

(8)The term “State” means any of the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Endangered Species Act of 1973, referred to in par. (6)(B), is Pub. L. 93–205, Dec. 28, 1973, 87 Stat. 884, which is classified generally to chapter 35 (§ 1531 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 1531 of this title and Tables. section 1362(5) of this title, referred to in par. (6)(C), was redesignated section 1362(6), by Pub. L. 102–582, title IV, § 401(a), Nov. 2, 1992, 106 Stat. 4909.

Executive Documents

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

§2902 Definitions