16 U.S.C. § 1536
The Secretary and the Federal agency may mutually agree to extend a consultation period established under the preceding sentence if the Secretary, before the close of such period, obtains the consent of the applicant to the extension.
the Secretary shall provide the Federal agency and the applicant concerned, if any, with a written statement that-
After initiation of consultation required under subsection (a)(2), the Federal agency and the permit or license applicant shall not make any irreversible or irretrievable commitment of resources with respect to the agency action which has the effect of foreclosing the formulation or implementation of any reasonable and prudent alternative measures which would not violate subsection (a)(2) of this section.
Not later than 90 days after November 10, 1978, the Secretary shall promulgate regulations which set forth the form and manner in which applications for exemption shall be submitted to the Secretary and the information to be contained in such applications. Such regulations shall require that information submitted in an application by the head of any Federal agency with respect to any agency action include, but not be limited to-
The denial of an application under subparagraph (B) shall be considered final agency action for purposes of chapter 7 of title 5.
Any final determination by the Committee under this subsection shall be considered final agency action for purposes of chapter 7 of title 5.
If the Secretary makes a finding described in clause (i), the Committee shall meet with respect to the matter within 30 days after the date of the finding.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the Committee shall be prohibited from considering for exemption any application made to it, if the Secretary of State, after a review of the proposed agency action and its potential implications, and after hearing, certifies, in writing, to the Committee within 60 days of any application made under this section that the granting of any such exemption and the carrying out of such action would be in violation of an international treaty obligation or other international obligation of the United States. The Secretary of State shall, at the time of such certification, publish a copy thereof in the Federal Register.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the Committee shall grant an exemption for any agency action if the Secretary of Defense finds that such exemption is necessary for reasons of national security.
An exemption decision by the Committee under this section shall not be a major Federal action for purposes of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 [42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.]: Provided, That an environmental impact statement which discusses the impacts upon endangered species or threatened species or their critical habitats shall have been previously prepared with respect to any agency action exempted by such order.
The 60-day notice requirement of section 1540(g) of this title shall not apply with respect to review of any final determination of the Committee under subsection (h) of this section granting an exemption from the requirements of subsection (a)(2) of this section.
Any person, as defined by section 1532(13) of this title, may obtain judicial review, under chapter 7 of title 5, of any decision of the Endangered Species Committee under subsection (h) in the United States Court of Appeals for (1) any circuit wherein the agency action concerned will be, or is being, carried out, or (2) in any case in which the agency action will be, or is being, carried out outside of any circuit, the District of Columbia, by filing in such court within 90 days after the date of issuance of the decision, a written petition for review. A copy of such petition shall be transmitted by the clerk of the court to the Committee and the Committee shall file in the court the record in the proceeding, as provided in section 2112 of title 28. Attorneys designated by the Endangered Species Committee may appear for, and represent the Committee in any action for review under this subsection.
Notwithstanding sections 1533(d) and 1538(a)(1)(B) and (C) of this title, sections 1371 and 1372 of this title, or any regulation promulgated to implement any such section-
In any area which has been declared by the President to be a major disaster area under the Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act [42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.], the President is authorized to make the determinations required by subsections (g) and (h) of this section for any project for the repair or replacement of a public facility substantially as it existed prior to the disaster under section 405 or 406 of the Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act [42 U.S.C. 5171 or 5172], and which the President determines (1) is necessary to prevent the recurrence of such a natural disaster and to reduce the potential loss of human life, and (2) to involve an emergency situation which does not allow the ordinary procedures of this section to be followed. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the Committee shall accept the determinations of the President under this subsection.
16 U.S.C. § 1536
EDITORIAL NOTES
REFERENCES IN TEXTThis chapter, referred to in subsecs. (a)(1), (i), and (j), was in the original "this Act", meaning Pub. L. 93-205, Dec. 28, 1973, 81 Stat. 884, known as the Endangered Species Act of 1973, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1531 of this title and Tables.The Privacy Act, referred to in subsec. (e)(7)(C), is probably a reference to section 552a of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees. See Short Title note set out under section 552a of Title 5.The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, referred to in subsec. (k), is Pub. L. 91-190, Jan. 1, 1970, 83 Stat. 852, which is classified generally to chapter 55 (§4321 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 4321 of Title 42 and Tables.The Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, referred to in subsec. (p), is Pub. L. 93-288, May 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 143, known as the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, which is classified principally to chapter 68 (§5121 et seq.) of Title 42. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5121 of Title 42 and Tables.
AMENDMENTS1988-Subsec. (p). Pub. L. 100-707 substituted "the Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act" for "the Disaster Relief Act of 1974" and "section 405 or 406 of the Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act" for "section 401 or 402 of the Disaster Relief Act of 1974". 1986-Subsec. (b)(4)(C). Pub. L. 99-659, §411(b)(1)-(3), added subpar. (C). Subsec. (b)(4)(iii), (iv). Pub. L. 99-659, §411(b)(4)-(6), added cl. (iii), redesignated former cl. (iii) as (iv), and in cl. (iv), as so redesignated, inserted reference to cl. (iii). Subsec. (o). Pub. L. 99-659, §411(c)(1), in introductory provisions, inserted ",sections 1371 and 1372 of this title,", and substituted "any" for "either" after "implement".Subsec. (o)(2). Pub. L. 99-659, §411(c)(2), substituted "subsection (b)(4)(iv)" for "subsection (b)(4)(iii)" and inserted "prohibited" before "taking of the species". 1982-Subsec. (a)(3), (4). Pub. L. 97-304, §4(a)(1), added par. (3) and redesignated former par. (3) as (4).Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 97-304, §4(a)(2), incorporated existing provisions into pars. (1)(A) and (3)(A) and added pars. (1)(B), (2), (3)(B), and (4). Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 97-304, §4(a)(3), inserted ",except that if a permit or license applicant is involved, the 180-day period may not be extended unless such agency provides the applicant, before the close of such period, with a written statement setting forth the estimated length of the proposed extension and the reasons therefor" after "agency" in parenthetical provision.Subsec. (e)(10). Pub. L. 97-304, §4(a)(4), struck out provision that, except in the case of a member designated pursuant to paragraph (3)(G) of this subsection, no member could designate any person to serve as his or her representative unless that person was, at the time of such designation, holding a Federal office the appointment to which was subject to the advice and consent of the United States Senate.Subsec. (g)(1). Pub. L. 97-304, §4(a)(5)(B), substituted "An application for an exemption shall be considered initially by the Secretary in the manner provided for in this subsection, and shall be considered by the Committee for a final determination under subsection (h) after a report is made pursuant to paragraph (5)" for "An application for an exemption shall be considered initially by a review board in the manner provided in this subsection, and shall be considered by the Endangered Species Committee for a final determination under subsection (h) after a report is made by the review board".Subsec. (g)(2)(A). Pub. L. 97-304, §4(a)(5)(C)(i), substituted "An exemption applicant shall submit a written application to the Secretary, in a form prescribed under subsection (f), not later than 90 days after the completion of the consultation process; except that, in the case of any agency action involving a permit or license applicant, such application shall be submitted not later than 90 days after the date on which the Federal agency concerned takes final agency action with respect to the issuance of the permit or license" for "An exemption applicant shall submit a written application to the Secretary, in a form prescribed under subsection (f) of this section, not later than 90 days after the completion of the consultation process; or, in the case of any agency action involving a permit or license applicant, not later than 90 days after the date on which the Federal agency concerned takes final agency action, for purposes of chapter 7 of title 5, with respect to the issuance of the permit or license" and inserted provision that, "For purposes of the preceding sentence, the term 'final agency action' means (i) a disposition by an agency with respect to the issuance of a permit or license that is subject to administrative review, whether or not such disposition is subject to judicial review; or (ii) if administrative review is sought with respect to such disposition, the decision resulting after such review." Subsec. (g)(2)(B). Pub. L. 97-304, §4(a)(5)(C)(ii), inserted "(i)" after "the Secretary shall promptly", struck out "to the review board to be established under paragraph (3) and" after "individuals to be appointed" in cl. (i) as so designated, and added cl. (ii).Subsec. (g)(3). Pub. L. 97-304, §4(a)(5)(D), (E), redesignated par. (5) as (3) and substituted provisions directing the Secretary, within 20 days after the receipt of an application for exemption, or within such other period of time as is mutually agreeable to the exemption applicant and the Secretary, to (A) determine that the Federal agency concerned and the exemption applicant have (i) carried out the consultation responsibilities described in subsection (a) of this section in good faith and made a reasonable and responsible effort to develop and fairly consider modifications or reasonable and prudent alternatives to the proposed agency action which would not violate subsection (a)(2) of this section, (ii) conducted any biological assessment required by subsection (c) of this section, and (iii) to the extent determinable within the time provided herein, refrained from making any irreversible or irretrievable commitment of resources prohibited by subsection (d) of this section, or (B) deny the application for exemption because the Federal agency concerned or the exemption applicant have not met the requirements set forth in subparagraph (A)(i), (ii), and (iii), and providing that the denial of an application under subparagraph (B) shall be considered final agency action for purposes of chapter 7 of title 5, for provisions placing upon the review board appointed under former par. (3) the duty to make a full review of the consultation carried out under subsection (a)(2) of this section, and within 60 days after its appointment or within such longer time as was mutually agreed upon between the exemption applicant and the Secretary, to make a determination, by a majority vote, (A) whether an irresolvable conflict existed and (B) whether the Federal agency concerned and such exemption applicant had (i) carried out its consultation responsibilities as described in subsection (a) of this section in good faith and made a reasonable and responsible effort to develop and fairly consider modifications or reasonable and prudent alternatives to the proposed agency action which would not violate subsection (a)(2) of this section, (ii) conducted any biological assessment required of it by subsection (c) of this section, and (iii) refrained from making any irreversible or irretrievable commitment of resources prohibited by subsection (d) of this section, and providing that any determination by the review board that an irresolvable conflict did not exist or that the Federal agency concerned or the exemption applicant had not met its respective requirements under subclause (i), (ii), or (iii) was to be considered final agency action for purposes of chapter 7 of title 5. Former par. (3), providing for the establishment and functions of a review board to consider applications for exemptions and to submit reports to the Endangered Species Committee, was struck out.Subsec. (g)(4). Pub. L. 97-304, §4(a)(5)(D), (F), redesignated par. (6) as (4) and substituted "If the Secretary determines that the Federal agency concerned and the exemption applicant have met the requirements set forth in paragraph (3)(A)(i), (ii), and (iii) he shall, in consultation with the Members of the Committee, hold a hearing on the application for exemption in accordance with sections 554, 555, and 556 (other than subsection (b)(1) and (2) thereof) of title 5 and prepare the report to be submitted pursuant to paragraph (5)" for "If the review board determines that an irresolvable conflict exists and makes positive determinations under subclauses (i), (ii), and (iii) of paragraph (5), it shall proceed to prepare the report to be submitted under paragraph (7)". Former par. (4), directing the Secretary to submit the application to the review board immediately after its appointment under paragraph (3), and to submit to the review board, in writing, his views and recommendations with respect to the application within 60 days after receiving a copy of any application under paragraph (2), was struck out.Subsec. (g)(5). Pub. L. 97-304, §4(a)(5)(G), redesignated par. (7) as (5) and substituted "Within 140 days after making the determinations under paragraph (3) or within such other period of time as is mutually agreeable to the exemption applicant and the Secretary, the Secretary shall submit" for "Within 180 days after making the determinations under paragraph (6), the review board shall submit" in the provisions preceding subpar. (A), and added subpar. (D). Former par. (5) redesignated (3) and amended.Subsec. (g)(6). Pub. L. 97-304, §4(a)(5)(H), redesignated par. (8) as (6). Former par. (6) redesignated (4) and amended.Subsec. (g)(7). Pub. L. 97-304, §4(a)(5)(I), redesignated par. (10) as (7) and substituted "Upon request of the Secretary, the head of any Federal agency is authorized to detail, on a nonreimbursable basis, any of the personnel of such agency to the Secretary to assist him in carrying out his duties under this section" for "Upon request of a review board, the head of any Federal agency is authorized to detail, on a nonreimbursable basis, any of the personnel of such agency to the review board to assist it in carry out its duties under this section". Former par. (7) redesignated (5) and amended.Subsec. (g)(8). Pub. L. 97-304, §4(a)(5)(J), redesignated par. (12) as (8) and substituted "records resulting from activities pursuant to this subsection" for "records of review boards". Former par. (8) redesignated (6).Subsec. (g)(9). Pub. L. 97-304, §4(a)(5)(D), struck out par. (9) which had provided that the review board, in carrying out its duties, could (A) sit and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such evidence, as the review board deemed advisable, (B) subject to the Privacy Act of 1974 [5 U.S.C. 552a], request of any Federal agency or applicant information necessary to enable it to carry out such duties, and upon such request the head of such Federal agency would furnish such information to the review board, and (C) use the United States mails in the same manner and upon the same conditions as a Federal agency.Subsec. (g)(10). Pub. L. 97-304, §4(a)(5)(I), redesignated par. (10) as (7).Subsec. (g)(11). Pub. L. 97-304, §4(a)(5)(D), struck out par. (11) which had provided that the Administrator of the General Services Administration provide to a review board, on a reimbursable basis, such administrative support services as the review board requested.Subsec. (g)(12). Pub. L. 97-304, §4(a)(5)(J), redesignated par. (12) as (8).Subsec. (h)(1). Pub. L. 97-304, §4(a)(6), substituted "within 30 days after receiving the report of the Secretary pursuant to subsection (g)(5)" for "within 90 days of receiving the report of the review board under subsection (g)(7)" in provisions preceding subpar. (A), substituted "report of the Secretary, the record of the hearing held under subsection (g)(4) and on such other testimony" for "report of the review board and on such other testimony" in subpar. (A) preceding cl. (i), and added cl. (iv).Subsec. (o). Pub. L. 97-304, §4(a)(7), substituted "Notwithstanding sections 1533(d) and 1538(a)(1)(B) and (C) of this title or any regulation promulgated to implement either such section (1) any action for which an exemption is granted under subsection (h) shall not be considered to be a taking of any endangered species or threatened species with respect to any activity which is necessary to carry out such action; and (2) any taking that is in compliance with the terms and conditions specified in a written statement provided under subsection (b)(4)(iii) shall not be considered to be a taking of the species concerned" for "Notwithstanding sections 1533(d) and 1538(a) of this title or any regulations promulgated pursuant to such sections, any action for which an exemption is granted under subsection (h) of this section shall not be considered a taking of any endangered or threatened species with respect to any activity which is necessary to carry out such action". Subsec. (q). Pub. L. 97-304, §8(b), struck out subsec. (q) which authorized appropriations of $600,000 for each of fiscal years 1979, 1980, 1981, and 1982 in carrying out functions under subsecs. (e), (f), (g), and (h) of this section. See section 1542(c) of this title. 1979-Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 96-159, §4(1), designated existing provisions as par. (1); struck out third sentence requirement that each Federal agency, in consultation with and with the assistance of the Secretary, insure that any action authorized, funded, or carried out by such agency (referred to as "agency action") did not jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered species or threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of habitat of such species which was determined by the Secretary, after consultation as appropriate with the affected States, to be critical, unless the agency was granted an exemption for such action by the Committee pursuant to subsec. (h) of this section; and added pars. (2) and (3), incorporating former third sentence provisions. Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 96-159, §4(2), (3), substituted "he believes would not violate subsection (a)(2) of this section and" for "he believes would avoid jeopardizing the continued existence of any endangered or threatened species or adversely modifying the critical habitat of such species, and which" before "can be taken" and introductory "subsection (a)(2) of this section" for "subsection (a) of this section". Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 96-159, §4(3), (4), substituted "subsection (a)(2)" for "subsec. (a)" of this section, designated existing provisions as so amended par. (1), and added par. (2).Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 96-159, §4(3), (5), substituted introductory words "subsection (a)(2)" for "subsection (a)" of this section and "alternative measures which would not violate subsection (a)(2)" for "alternative measures which would avoid jeopardizing the continued existence of any endangered or threatened species or adversely modifying or destroying the critical habitat of any such species". Subsecs. (e)(2), (f). Pub. L. 96-159, §4(3), substituted "subsection (a)(2)" for "subsection (a)".Subsec. (g)(1). Pub. L. 96-159, §4(3), (6), substituted in first sentence "subsection (a)(2)" for "subsection (a)" of this section and "agency action would violate subsection (a)(2)" for "agency action may jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered or threatened species or destroy or adversely modify the critical habitat of such species".Subsec. (g)(2)(A). Pub. L. 96-159, §4(7), required exemption applicant, to submit a written application, in the case of any agency action involving a permit or license applicant, not later than 90 days after the date on which the Federal agency concerned takes final agency action, for purposes of chapter 7 of Title 5, with respect to the issuance of the permit or license.Subsec. (g)(3). Pub. L. 96-159, §4(8), added subpar. (B), and redesignated former subpar. (B) as (C).Subsec. (g)(5). Pub. L. 96-159, §4(3), (9), substituted in introductory text and cl. (i) "subsection (a)(2)" for "subsection (a)" of this section; redesignated as cls. (A) and (B) former cls. (i) and (ii); inserted in cl. (B) "the Federal agency concerned and" before "such exemption applicant"; redesignated as subcls. (i) to (iii) former subcls. (A) to (C); substituted in subcl. (i) "agency action which would not violate subsection (a)(2) of this section" for "agency action which will avoid jeopardizing the continued existence of an endangered or threatened species or result in the adverse modification or destruction of a critical habitat"; and substituted in last sentence "the Federal agency concerned or the exemption applicant has not met its respective requirements under subclause (i), (ii), or (iii)" for "the exemption applicant has not met the requirements of subparagraph (A), (B), or (C)" preceding "shall be considered final agency action". Subsec. (g)(6). Pub. L. 96-159, §4(10), substituted "subclauses (i), (ii), and (iii)" for "subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C)" of paragraph (5).Subsec. (h)(1). Pub. L. 96-159, §4(3), substituted "subsection (a)(2)" for "subsection (a)" of this section. Subsec. (h)(2). Pub. L. 96-159, §4(11), in subpar. (A), substituted "paragraph (1)" for "subsection (h) of this section", inserted cl. (i), incorporated existing provisions in text designated cl. (ii), inserting thereto "with respect to such agency action"; in subpar. (B), incorporated existing provision in cl. (i), inserted findings provision respecting the extinction of a species that was not: the subject of consultation or identified in any biological assessment under subsec. (a)(2) or (c) of this section, added cl. (ii), deleted prior requirement for a Committee determination within 30 days of the Secretary's finding that an exemption would result in extinction of the species whether to grant an exemption for the agency notwithstanding such finding, and superseded the same with requirement that the Committee meet with respect to the matter within 30 days after the date of such a finding.Subsec. (m). Pub. L. 96-159, §4(3), substituted "subsection (a)(2)" for "subsection (a)" of this section. Subsec. (q). Pub. L. 96-159, §4(12), authorized appropriations of $600,000 for fiscal years 1980 through 1982, and deleted appropriations authorization of $300,000 for period beginning Oct. 1, 1979, and ending Mar. 3, 1980, and requirement that the Chairman of the Committee report to the Congress before end of fiscal year 1979 with respect to adequacy of the budget authority.1978-Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 95-632 designated existing provision as subsec. (a), inserted reference to agency action, substituted "adverse modification" for "modification", and provided for the grant of an exemption for agency action by the Endangered Species Committee pursuant to subsec. (h) of this section.Subsecs. (b) to (q). Pub. L. 95-632 added subsecs. (b) to (q).
STATUTORY NOTES AND RELATED SUBSIDIARIES
OBJECTIVES, PERFORMANCE STANDARDS, AND CRITERIA FOR USE OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION BANKING PROGRAMS Pub. L. 116-283, div. A, title III, §329, Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3527, provided that: "(a) IN GENERAL.-To ensure opportunities for Department of Defense participation in wildlife conservation banking programs pursuant to section 2694c of title 10, United States Code, the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, shall issue regulations of general applicability establishing objectives, measurable performance standards, and criteria for use, consistent with the Endangered Species Act [of 1973] (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), for mitigation banking offsetting effects on a species, or habitat of such species, that is endangered, threatened, a candidate for listing, or otherwise at risk under such Act. To the maximum extent practicable, the regulatory standards and criteria shall maximize available credits and opportunities for mitigation, provide flexibility for characteristics of various species, and apply equivalent standards and criteria to all mitigation banks. "(b) DEADLINE FOR REGULATIONS.-The Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, shall publish an advance notice of proposed rulemaking for the regulations required by subsection (a) by not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Jan. 1, 2021]."
DEFERRAL OF AGENCY ACTION Pub. L. 105-18, title II, §30033003,, 111 Stat. 176, provided that:"(a) CONSULTATION AND CONFERENCING.-As provided by regulations issued under the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) for emergency situations, formal consultation or conferencing under section 7(a)(2) or section 7(a)(4) of the Act [16 U.S.C. 1536(a)(2), (4)] for any action authorized, funded or carried out by any Federal agency to repair a Federal or non-Federal flood control project, facility or structure may be deferred by the Federal agency authorizing, funding or carrying out the action, if the agency determines that the repair is needed to respond to an emergency causing an imminent threat to human lives and property in 1996 or 1997. Formal consultation or conferencing shall be deferred until the imminent threat to human lives and property has been abated. For purposes of this section, the term repair shall include preventive and remedial measures to restore the project, facility or structure to remove an imminent threat to human lives and property."(b) REASONABLE AND PRUDENT MEASURES.-Any reasonable and prudent measures specified under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1536) to minimize the impact of an action taken under this section shall be related both in nature and extent to the effect of the action taken to repair the flood control project, facility or structure."
TRANSLOCATION OF CALIFORNIA SEA OTTERS Pub. L. 99-625, §1, Nov. 7, 1986, 100 Stat. 3500, provided that:"(a) DEFINITIONS.-For purposes of this section-"(1) The term 'Act' means the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.)."(2) The term 'agency action' has the meaning given that term in section 7(a)(2) of the Act [16 U.S.C. 1536(a)(2)] ."(3) The term 'experimental population' means the population of sea otters provided for under a plan developed under subsection (b)."(4) The phrase 'parent population' means the population of sea otters existing in California on the date on which proposed regulations setting forth a proposed plan under subsection (b) are issued."(5) The phrase 'prospective action' refers to any prospective agency action that-"(A) may affect either the experimental population or the parent population; and"(B) has evolved to the point where meaningful consultation under section 7(a)(2) or (3) of the Act [16 U.S.C. 1536(a)(2), (3)] can take place. "(6) The term 'Secretary' means the Secretary of the Interior."(7) The term 'Service' means the United States Fish and Wildlife Service."(b) PLAN SPECIFICATIONS.-The Secretary may develop and implement, in accordance with this section, a plan for the relocation and management of a population of California sea otters from the existing range of the parent population to another location. The plan, which must be developed by regulation and administered by the Service in cooperation with the appropriate State agency, shall include the following:"(1) The number, age, and sex of sea otters proposed to be relocated."(2) The manner in which the sea otters will be captured, translocated, released, monitored, and protected."(3) The specification of a zone (hereinafter referred to as the 'translocation zone') to which the experimental population will be relocated. The zone must have appropriate characteristics for furthering the conservation of the species."(4) The specification of a zone (hereinafter referred to as the 'management zone') that-"(A) surrounds the translocation zone; and "(B) does not include the existing range of the parent population or adjacent range where expansion is necessary for the recovery of the species.The purpose of the management zone is to (i) facilitate the management of sea otters and the containment of the experimental population within the translocation zone, and (ii) to prevent, to the maximum extent feasible, conflict with other fishery resources within the management zone by the experimental population. Any sea otter found within the management zone shall be treated as a member of the experimental population. The Service shall use all feasible non-lethal means and measures to capture any sea otter found within the management zone and return it to either the translocation zone or to the range of the parent population."(5) Measures, including an adequate funding mechanism, to isolate and contain the experimental population."(6) A description of the relationship of the implementation of the plan to the status of the species under the Act and to determinations of the Secretary under section 7 of the Act [16 U.S.C. 1536] ."(c) STATUS OF MEMBERS OF THE EXPERIMENTAL POPULATION.-(1) Any member of the experimental population shall be treated while within the translocation zone as a threatened species for purposes of the Act, except that-"(A) section 7 of the Act [16 U.S.C. 1536] shall only apply to agency actions that-"(i) are undertaken within the translocation zone,"(ii) are not defense-related agency actions, and"(iii) are initiated after the date of the enactment of this section [Nov. 7, 1986]; and"(B) with respect to defense-related actions within the translocation zone, members of the experimental population shall be treated as members of a species that is proposed to be listed under section 4 of the Act [16 U.S.C. 1533] . For purposes of this paragraph, the term 'defense-related agency action' means an agency action proposed to be carried out directly by a military department."(2) For purposes of section 7 of the Act [16 U.S.C. 1536], any member of the experimental population shall be treated while within the management zone as a member of a species that is proposed to be listed under section 4 of the Act [16 U.S.C. 1533] . Section 9 of the Act [16 U.S.C. 1538] applies to members of the experimental population; except that any incidental taking of such a member during the course of an otherwise lawful activity within the management zone, may not be treated as a violation of the Act or the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 [16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.]."(d) IMPLEMENTATION OF PLAN.-The Secretary shall implement the plan developed under subsection (b)-"(1) after the Secretary provides an opinion under section 7(b) of the Act [16 U.S.C. 1536(b)] regarding each prospective action for which consultation was initiated by a Federal agency or requested by a prospective permit or license applicant before April 1, 1986; or"(2) if no consultation under section 7(a)(2) or (3) regarding any prospective action is initiated or requested by April 1, 1986, at any time after that date."(e) CONSULTATION AND EFFECT OF OPINION.-A Federal agency shall promptly consult with the Secretary, under section 7(a)(3) of the Act [16 U.S.C. 1536(a)(3)], at the request of, and in cooperation with, any permit or license applicant regarding any prospective action. The time limitations applicable to consultations under section 7(a)(2) of the Act apply to consultations under the preceding sentence. In applying section 7(b)(3)(B) with respect to an opinion on a prospective action that is provided after consultation under section 7(a)(3), that opinion shall be treated as the opinion issued after consultation under section 7(a)(2) unless the Secretary finds, after notice and opportunity for comment in accordance with section 553 of title 5, United States Code, that a significant change has been made with respect to the action or that a significant change has occurred regarding the information used during the initial consultation. The interested party may petition the Secretary to make a finding under the preceding sentence. The Secretary may implement any reasonable and prudent alternatives specified in any opinion referred to in this subsection through appropriate agreements with any such Federal agency, prospective permit or license applicant, or other interested party. "(f) CONSTRUCTION.-For purposes of implementing the plan, no act by the Service, an authorized State agency, or an authorized agent of the Service or such an agency with respect to a sea otter that is necessary to effect the relocation or management of any sea otter under the plan may be treated as a violation of any provision of the Act or the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.)."