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toward a restoration program for endangered species, and the Bureau of Sport Fisheries <br />and Wildlife's Office of Endangered Species was delegated the task of providing coordination <br />for endangered species, programs , including compilation of lists . All candidate endangered <br />species are critically evaluated by this Office, which works in close cooperation with the <br />States , scientists , and specialists . <br />Anyone who has information indicating that a vertebrate, mollusk, or crustacean may be <br />threatened with extinction is encouraged to submit that information to the Office of Endangered <br />Species. Usually such nominations fall into one of three general categories. <br />1. Species which obviously are not threatened: Many nominations of species <br />are received which are based on emotion alone, without adequate supporting <br />data . <br />2. Obvious candidates: In some instances, complete, factual data are submitted <br />which leave no doubt that an animal is indeed "threatened with extinction." <br />In such cases the mechanics for placing the animal on the list are immediately <br />initiated . <br />Questionable cases: The vast majority of nominations fall into this category. <br />Substantial information is submitted which appears to indicate that an animal <br />may be threatened. In such cases, the information is routed to specialists <br />for their review and comment . When zzeviews have been completed, a final <br />judgment on the endangered status of the animal is made by the Office of <br />Endangered Species . If the animal is determined to be endangered, the <br />Secretary of the Interior is advised to propose it as an endangered species <br />in the Federal Register. A minimum of thirty (30) days is then allowed for <br />all interested parties to further comment on the proposal before a final decision <br />is made to list the animal as endangered. <br />The removal of an animal from the list of endangered native fish and wildlife <br />is accomplished in essentially the same manner as an addition . The list is <br />subject to continual review, and data which may clarify the status of any <br />animal on the list or which may be a candidate- for the list are welcomed by <br />the Office of Endangered Species . <br />THE PROGRAM OF THE OFFICE OF ENDANGERED SPECIES <br />History of the Program <br />The U . S . Department of the Interior has devoted effort to the preservation of threatened <br />species for many years through protection on National Wildlife Refuges and National Parks . <br />Environmental protection under the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16 U . S . C . 661) and <br />Environmental Policy Act (42 U . S . C . 4321) has helped preserve habitat of endangered species <br />as well as other wildlife . This has been insufficient for some species . <br />A more formal endangered species program in the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife <br />began in 1966 when a special research program for endangered species was begun. Centered <br />at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, the program had two thrusts; to learn how to <br />vi <br />