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# Laws & Regulations

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Regulations are an important part of our conservation efforts. During the past one hundred years, the United States has enacted wildlife laws and regulations, and ratified international treaties to protect our heritage of wild animals and plans and their habitats. 

## Laws, Agreements and Treaties

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The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service receives its authority through a number of laws, treaties, and regulations focused on conservation. These various forms of legislation provide a framework and specific guidelines for much of the work the Service does domestically and internationally. 

Learn more about the U.S. Conservation Laws, Bilateral/Multilateral Agreements, Treaties and Conventions that guide FWS and its work.

Laws, Agreements, and Treaties

## Implementing Laws

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Laws passed by Congress often need additional details so that everyone impacted knows exactly what is allowed and what isn't. Congress has authorized the Fish and Wildlife Service to add detail to laws through additional rules or "regulations."

Regulations have the force of law, so they go through a rigorous process before being put into place. All proposed rules are open to public scrutiny and comment, after which we make needed changes. Only after we are sure the rule is needed and properly constructed do we make it final, announcing it in the Federal Register. 

## Rulemaking

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As a government agency, FWS has procedures to creates rules and regulations. Every proposed rule goes through a process of drafting, comment and review before it becomes final. The Federal Register is where we publish official notices about proposed and final rules, including rulemaking timelines.

Our Federal Register content

## Open For Public Comment

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As a government agency, FWS has procedures to creates rules and regulations. Every proposed rule goes through a process of drafting, comment and review before it becomes final.  The Federal Register is where we publish official notices about proposed and final rules, including rulemaking timelines.

View all rulemaking documents concerning FWS or search for a specific rulemaking document by title, docket ID or term.

PROVIDE COMMENTS AND FEEDBACK

How we handle your comments

## Congressional Testimony

Interested in learning more about how FWS takes part in the legislative process? View an archive of Congressional Testimonies given by officials with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Department of the Interior on issues important to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 

Congressional Testimony

## Latest Stories Related to Laws & Regulations

Wildlife CrimeCatching Cactus Crooks“Never in a million years did I expect to investigate cactus smuggling as a federal officer,” said Special Agent Eric Jumper. “Once I started working the case though, I found it both very interesting and absolutely shocking: reading the correspondences between supplier and buyer, and learning how...Apr 4, 2024

Endangered Species ActRevisions Strengthen Endangered Species ActThe Department of the Interior’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) have finalized three rules that will restore important protections for species and their habitats,...Mar 28, 2024

Endangered Species ActU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Seeks Information From the PublicThe U.S. Fish and Wildlife is seeking information regarding the deaths of three endangered gray wolves east of Bly in southern Oregon. The deaths occurred in an area of known wolf activity, as defined by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), that stretches across Klamath and Lake...Feb 9, 2024

Wildlife CrimeReward Offered for Information on Bald Eagle Shooting in Clayton, Delaware Federal investigators seek information about the shooting of an adult bald eagle found at the Blackbird State Forest Dulany Manor TractFeb 1, 2024

Our PeopleA 67 Million Acre Open Air Office How do you pack for a patrol of an area the size of Mississippi? What do you pack? A lunch? What about a week's worth of food, a tent, sleeping bag, and your flight helmet? Those are exactly what Senior Federal Wildlife Officer (SFWO) Cody Smith packs at a minimum for a patrol of his over 67-...Jan 9, 2024

Our PeopleWildlife Inspector Canine Wildlife Inspector Canines work with Wildlife Inspectors to help combat international wildlife trafficking. Dock, a black Labrador from Georgia, has spent seven years working with the Office of Law Enforcement in Alaska.Nov 8, 2023

View All Stories

Working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.

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