State of Texas Threatened and Endangered Species Regulations

Animals

In 1973 the Texas legislature authorized the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to establish a list of endangered animals in the state.  Endangered species are those species which the Executive Director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has named as being "threatened with statewide extinction".  Threatened species are those species which the TPW Commission has determined are likely to become endangered in the future.  Laws and regulations pertaining to endangered or threatened animal species are contained in Chapters 67 and 68 of the Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPW) Code and Sections 65.171 - 65.176 of Title 31 of the Texas Administrative Code (T.A.C.).

Plants

In 1988 the Texas legislature authorized the Department to establish a list of threatened and endangered plant species for the state.  An endangered plant is one that is "in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range".  A threatened plant is one which is likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future.  Laws and regulations pertaining to endangered or threatened plant species are contained in Chapter 88 of the TPW Code and Sections 69.01 - 69.9 of the T.A.C.

Regulations

TPWD regulations prohibit the taking, possession, transportation, or sale of any of the animal species designated by state law as endangered or threatened without the issuance of a permit.  State laws and regulations prohibit commerce in threatened and endangered plants and the collection of listed plant species from public land without a permit issued by TPWD.  In addition, some species listed as threatened or endangered under state law are also listed under federal regulations.  These animals are provided additional protection by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Listing and Recovery

Listing and recovery of endangered species in Texas is coordinated by the Wildlife Division.  The Department's Wildlife Permitting Section is responsible for the issuance of permits for the handling of listed species.