---
kind: "section"
citation: "40 C.F.R. § 257.3-2"
title: "40"
number: "257.3-2"
heading: "Endangered species."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/40/257.3-2"
---

# §257.3-2. Endangered species.

- (a) Facilities or practices shall not cause or contribute to the taking of any endangered or threatened species of plants, fish, or wildlife.
- (b) The facility or practice shall not result in the destruction or adverse modification of the critical habitat of endangered or threatened species as identified in [50 CFR part 17](/cfr/50/part17.md).
- (c) **As used in this section—**
  - (1) Endangered or threatened species means any species listed as such pursuant to [section 4](/cfr/40/4.md) of the Endangered Species Act.
  - (2) Destruction or adverse modification means a direct or indirect alteration of critical habitat which appreciably diminishes the likelihood of the survival and recovery of threatened or endangered species using that habitat.
  - (3) Taking means harassing, harming, pursuing, hunting, wounding, killing, trapping, capturing, or collecting or attempting to engage in such conduct.

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6907(a)(3), 6912(a)(1), 6927, 6944, 6945(a) and (d); 33 U.S.C. 1345(d) and (e).

### Source

Source: 44 FR 53460, Sept. 13, 1979, unless otherwise noted.