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.

Complimentary review copies are not available for this title.


Imprint: Environmental Law Institute
Series: Environmental Law Institute
Publication Date: 07/01/2010
Related Subject(s): Wildlife/Biodiversity Law

Lawrence Liebesman, George Washington University Law School

Rafe Petersen, Environmental Law Institute

CasebookPlus™

This title is available in our CasebookPlus format. CasebookPlus provides support beyond your classroom lectures and materials by offering additional digital resources to you and your students. Anchored by faculty-authored formative self-assessments keyed to our most popular casebooks, CasebookPlus allows students to test their understanding of core concepts as they are learning them in class – on their own, outside of the classroom, with no extra work on your part. CasebookPlus combines three important elements:

  • A new print or digital casebook
  • Access to a downloadable eBook with the ability to highlight and add notes
  • 12-month access to a digital Learning Library complete with:
Multiple-choice self-assessment questions, including:
  • Chapter questions keyed to the casebook
  • Black Letter Law questions (available in select subjects)
  • Subject area review questions for end of semester use
Essay and short answer questions with sample answers and expert commentary, in 1L and select upper-level subjects

Leading digital study aids, an outline starter, and audio lectures in select subjects

Students can still utilize CasebookPlus digital resources if they’ve purchased a used book or are renting their text by purchasing the Learning Library at westacademic.com.

With CasebookPlus, you can customize your students’ learning experience and monitor their performance. The quiz editor allows you to create your own custom quiz set, suppress specific quiz questions or quiz sets, and time-release quiz questions. Additionally, the flexible, customized reporting capability helps you evaluate your students’ understanding of the material and can also help your school demonstrate compliance with the new ABA Assessment and Learning Outcomes standards.

Learn more about this series.