Source: https://www.animallaw.info/statute/us-lacey-act-chapter-53-control-illegally-taken-fish-and-wildlife
Timestamp: 2020-04-10 07:17:27
Document Index: 551157526

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 3371', '§ 3372', '§ 3373', '§ 3374', '§ 3375', '§ 3376', '§ 3378', '§ 2', '§ 2', '§ 8204', '§ 8204', '§ 3', '§ 101', '§ 3', '§ 8204', '§ 8204', '§ 1801', '§ 4', '§ 102', '§ 101', '§ 211', '§ 8204', '§ 8204', '§ 5', '§ 8204', '§ 4', '§ 8204', '§ 6', '§ 4', '§ 104', '§ 321', '§ 7', '§ 8204', '§ 8204', '§ 1802', '§ 8', '§ 101', '§ 211', '§ 9']

US - Lacey Act - Chapter 53. Control of Illegally Taken Fish and Wildlife. | Animal Legal & Historical Center
Full Statute Name: United States Code Annotated. Title 16. Conservation. Chapter 53. Control of Illegally Taken Fish and Wildlife.
Popular Title: The Lacey Act Primary Citation: 16 USC 3371 - 3378 Country of Origin: United States Last Checked: February, 2020 Date Adopted: 1900 Historical:
Summary: The Lacey Act provides that it is unlawful for any person to import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase any fish or wildlife or plant taken, possessed, transported, or sold in violation of any law, treaty, or regulation of the United States or in violation of any Indian tribal law whether in interstate or foreign commerce. All plants or animals taken in violation of the Act are subject to forfeiture as well as all vessels, vehicles, aircraft, and other equipment used in the process.
§ 3371 . Definitions
§ 3372 . Prohibited acts
§ 3373 . Penalties and sanctions
§ 3374 . Forfeiture
§ 3375 . Enforcement
§ 3376 . Administration
§ 3378 . Miscellaneous provisions
(f) Plant
The terms “plant” and “plants” exclude--
(3) Exceptions to application of exclusions
The exclusions made by subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (2) do not apply if the plant is listed--
(g) Prohibited wildlife species--The term “prohibited wildlife species” means any live species of lion, tiger, leopard, cheetah, jaguar, or cougar or any hybrid of such a species.
(j) Taken and taking
(1) Taken
The term “taken” means captured, killed, or collected and, with respect to a plant, also means harvested, cut, logged, or removed.
The term “taking” means the act by which fish, wildlife, or plants are taken.
(k) The term “transport” means to move, convey, carry, or ship by any means, or to deliver or receive for the purpose of movement, conveyance, carriage, or shipment.
(Pub.L. 97-79, § 2, Nov. 16, 1981, 95 Stat. 1073; Pub.L. 108-191, § 2, Dec. 19, 2003, 117 Stat. 2871; Pub.L. 110-234, Title VIII, § 8204(a)(1), (2), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1291; Pub.L. 110-246, Title VIII, § 8204(a), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 2052.)
(Pub.L. 97-79, § 3, Nov. 16, 1981, 95 Stat. 1074; Pub.L. 100-653, Title I, § 101, Nov. 14, 1988, 102 Stat. 3825; Pub.L. 108-191, § 3(a), Dec. 19, 2003, 117 Stat. 2871; Pub.L. 110-234, Title VIII, § 8204(b), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1292; Pub.L. 110-246, Title VIII, § 8204(b), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 2053.)
(1) Any person who engages in conduct prohibited by any provision of this chapter (other than subsections (b), (d) and (f) of section 3372 of this title) and in the exercise of due care should know that the fish or wildlife or plants were taken, possessed, transported, or sold in violation of, or in a manner unlawful under, any underlying law, treaty, or regulation, and any person who knowingly violates subsection (d) or (f) of section 3372 of this title, may be assessed a civil penalty by the Secretary of not more than $10,000 for each such violation: Provided, That when the violation involves fish or wildlife or plants with a market value of less than $350, and involves only the transportation, acquisition, or receipt of fish or wildlife or plants taken or possessed in violation of any law, treaty, or regulation of the United States, any Indian tribal law, any foreign law, or any law or regulation of any State, the penalty assessed shall not exceed the maximum provided for violation of said law, treaty, or regulation, or $10,000, whichever is less.
(2) Any person who violates subsection (b) or (f) of section 3372 of this title, except as provided in paragraph (1), may be assessed a civil penalty by the Secretary of not more than $250.
(3) For purposes of paragraphs (1) and (2), any reference to a provision of this chapter or to a section of this chapter shall be treated as including any regulation issued to carry out any such provision or section.
Hearings held during proceedings for the assessment of civil penalties shall be conducted in accordance with section 554 of Title 5. The administrative law judge may issue subpenas for the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of relevant papers, books, or documents, and may administer oaths. Witnesses summoned shall be paid the same fees and mileage that are paid to witnesses in the courts of the United States. In case of contumacy or refusal to obey a subpena issued pursuant to this paragraph and served upon any person, the district court of the United States for any district in which such person is found, resides, or transacts business, upon application by the United States and after notice to such person, shall have jurisdiction to issue an order requiring such person to appear and give testimony before the administrative law judge or to appear and produce documents before the administrative law judge, or both, and any failure to obey such order of the court may be punished by such court as a contempt thereof.
Any person against whom a civil penalty is assessed under this section may obtain review thereof in the appropriate District Court of the United States by filing a complaint in such court within 30 days after the date of such order and by simultaneously serving a copy of the complaint by certified mail on the Secretary, the Attorney General, and the appropriate United States attorney. The Secretary shall promptly file in such court a certified copy of the record upon which such violation was found or such penalty imposed, as provided in section 2112 of Title 28. If any person fails to pay an assessment of a civil penalty after it has become a final and unappealable order or after the appropriate court has entered final judgment in favor of the Secretary, the Secretary may request the Attorney General of the United States to institute a civil action in an appropriate district court of the United States to collect the penalty, and such court shall have jurisdiction to hear and decide any such action. In hearing such action, the court shall have authority to review the violation and the assessment of the civil penalty de novo.
(A) knowingly imports or exports any fish or wildlife or plants in violation of any provision of this chapter (other than subsections (b), (d) and (f) of section 3372 of this title), or
(B) violates any provision of this chapter (other than subsections (b), (d) and (f) of section 3372 of this title) by knowingly engaging in conduct that involves the sale or purchase of, the offer of sale or purchase of, or the intent to sell or purchase, fish or wildlife or plants with a market value in excess of $350, knowing that the fish or wildlife or plants were taken, possessed, transported, or sold in violation of, or in a manner unlawful under, any underlying law, treaty or regulation, shall be fined not more than $20,000, or imprisoned for not more than five years, or both. Each violation shall be a separate offense and the offense shall be deemed to have been committed not only in the district where the violation first occurred, but also in any district in which the defendant may have taken or been in possession of the said fish or wildlife or plants.
(2) Any person who knowingly engages in conduct prohibited by any provision of this chapter (other than subsections (b), (d), and (f) of section 3372 of this title) and in the exercise of due care should know that the fish or wildlife or plants were taken, possessed, transported, or sold in violation of, or in a manner unlawful under, any underlying law, treaty or regulation shall be fined not more than $10,000, or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both. Each violation shall be a separate offense and the offense shall be deemed to have been committed not only in the district where the violation first occurred, but also in any district in which the defendant may have taken or been in possession of the said fish or wildlife or plants.
(3) Any person who knowingly violates subsection (d) or (f) of section 3372 of this title--
(A) shall be fined under Title 18, or imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or both, if the offense involves--
(ii) the sale or purchase, offer of sale or purchase, or commission of an act with intent to sell or purchase fish or wildlife or plants with a market value greater than $350; and
(B) shall be fined under Title 18, or imprisoned for not more than 1 year, or both, if the offense does not involve conduct described in subparagraph (A).
(e) Permit sanctions
The Secretary may also suspend, modify, or cancel any Federal hunting or fishing license, permit, or stamp, or any license or permit authorizing a person to import or export fish or wildlife or plants (other than a permit or license issued pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act [16 U.S.C.A. § 1801 et seq.]), or to operate a quarantine station or rescue center for imported wildlife or plants, issued to any person who is convicted of a criminal violation of any provision of this chapter or any regulation issued hereunder. The Secretary shall not be liable for the payments of any compensation, reimbursement, or damages in connection with the modification, suspension, or revocation of any licenses, permits, stamps, or other agreements pursuant to this section.
(Pub.L. 97-79, § 4, Nov. 16, 1981, 95 Stat. 1074; Pub.L. 100-653, Title I, § 102, 103, Nov. 14, 1988, 102 Stat. 3825, 3826; Pub.L. 104-208, Div. A, Title I, § 101(a) [Title II, § 211(b)], Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009-41; Pub.L. 110-234, Title VIII, § 8204(c), (f), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1294; Pub.L. 110-246, Title VIII, § 8204(c), (f), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 2055, 2056.)
(1) All fish or wildlife or plants imported, exported, transported, sold, received, acquired, or purchased contrary to the provisions of section 3372 of this title (other than section 3372(b) of this title), or any regulation issued pursuant thereto, shall be subject to forfeiture to the United States notwithstanding any culpability requirements for civil penalty assessment or criminal prosecution included in section 3373 of this title.
(2) All vessels, vehicles, aircraft, and other equipment used to aid in the importing, exporting, transporting, selling, receiving, acquiring, or purchasing of fish or wildlife or plants in a criminal violation of this chapter for which a felony conviction is obtained shall be subject to forfeiture to the United States if (A) the owner of such vessel, vehicle, aircraft, or equipment was at the time of the alleged illegal act a consenting party or privy thereto or in the exercise of due care should have known that such vessel, vehicle, aircraft, or equipment would be used in a criminal violation of this chapter, and (B) the violation involved the sale or purchase of, the offer of sale or purchase of, or the intent to sell or purchase, fish or wildlife or plants.
All provisions of law relating to the seizure, forfeiture, and condemnation of property for violation of the customs laws, the disposition of such property or the proceeds from the sale thereof, and the remission or mitigation of such forfeiture, shall apply to the seizures and forfeitures incurred, or alleged to have been incurred, under the provisions of this chapter, insofar as such provisions of law are applicable and not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter, except that all powers, rights, and duties conferred or imposed by the customs laws upon any officer or employee of the Treasury Department may, for the purposes of this chapter, also be exercised or performed by the Secretary or by such persons as he may designate: Provided , That any warrant for search or seizure shall be issued in accordance with rule 41 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure.
Any person convicted of an offense, or assessed a civil penalty, under section 3373 of this title shall be liable for the costs incurred in the storage, care, and maintenance of any fish or wildlife or plant seized in connection with the violation concerned.
Civil forfeitures under this section shall be governed by the provisions of chapter 46 of Title 18.
(Pub.L. 97-79, § 5, Nov. 16, 1981, 95 Stat. 1076; Pub.L. 110-234, Title VIII, § 8204(d), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1294; Pub.L. 110-246, § 4(a), Title VIII, § 8204(d), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2056.)
The provisions of this chapter and any regulations issued pursuant thereto shall be enforced by the Secretary, the Secretary of Transportation, or the Secretary of the Treasury. Such Secretary may utilize by agreement, with or without reimbursement, the personnel, services, and facilities of any other Federal agency or any State agency or Indian tribe for purposes of enforcing this chapter.
Any person authorized under subsection (a) of this section to enforce this chapter may carry firearms; may, when enforcing this chapter, make an arrest without a warrant, in accordance with any guidelines which may be issued by the Attorney General, for any offense under the laws of the United States committed in the person's presence, or for the commission of any felony under the laws of the United States, if the person has reasonable grounds to believe that the person to be arrested has committed or is committing a felony; may search and seize, with or without a warrant, in accordance with any guidelines which may be issued by the Attorney General; [FN1] Provided, That an arrest for a felony violation of this chapter that is not committed in the presence or view of any such person and that involves only the transportation, acquisition, receipt, purchase, or sale of fish or wildlife or plants taken or possessed in violation of any law or regulation of any State shall require a warrant; may make an arrest without a warrant for a misdemeanor violation of this chapter if he has reasonable grounds to believe that the person to be arrested is committing a violation in his presence or view; and may execute and serve any subpena, arrest warrant, search warrant issued in accordance with rule 41 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, or other warrant of civil or criminal process issued by any officer or court of competent jurisdiction for enforcement of this chapter. Any person so authorized, in coordination with the Secretary of the Treasury, may detain for inspection and inspect any vessel, vehicle, aircraft, or other conveyance or any package, crate, or other container, including its contents, upon the arrival of such conveyance or container in the United States or the customs waters of the United States from any point outside the United States or such customs waters, or, if such conveyance or container is being used for exportation purposes, prior to departure from the United States or the customs waters of the United States. Such person may also inspect and demand the production of any documents and permits required by the country of natal origin, birth, or reexport of the fish or wildlife. Any fish, wildlife, plant, property, or item seized shall be held by any person authorized by the Secretary pending disposition of civil or criminal proceedings, or the institution of an action in rem for forfeiture of such fish, wildlife, plants, property, or item pursuant to section 3374 of this title; except that the Secretary may, in lieu of holding such fish, wildlife, plant, property, or item, permit the owner or consignee to post a bond or other surety satisfactory to the Secretary.
The several district courts of the United States, including the courts enumerated in section 460 of Title 28, shall have jurisdiction over any actions arising under this chapter. The venue provisions of Title 18 and Title 28 shall apply to any actions arising under this chapter. The judges of the district courts of the United States and the United States magistrate judges may, within their respective jurisdictions, upon proper oath or affirmation showing probable cause, issue such warrants or other process as may be required for enforcement of this chapter and any regulations issued thereunder.
Beginning in fiscal year 1983, the Secretary or the Secretary of the Treasury shall pay, from sums received as penalties, fines, or forfeitures of property for any violation of this chapter or any regulation issued hereunder (1) a reward to any person who furnishes information which leads to an arrest, a criminal conviction, civil penalty assessment, or forfeiture of property for any violation of this chapter or any regulation issued hereunder, and (2) the reasonable and necessary costs incurred by any person in providing temporary care for any fish, wildlife, or plant pending the disposition of any civil or criminal proceeding alleging a violation of this chapter with respect to that fish, wildlife, or plant. The amount of the reward, if any, is to be designated by the Secretary or the Secretary of the Treasury, as appropriate. Any officer or employee of the United States or any State or local government who furnishes information or renders service in the performance of his official duties is ineligible for payment under this subsection.
(Pub.L. 97-79, § 6, Nov. 16, 1981, 95 Stat. 1077; Pub.L. 98-327, § 4, June 25, 1984, 98 Stat. 271; Pub.L. 100-653, Title I, § 104, Nov. 14, 1988, 102 Stat. 3826; Pub.L. 101-650, Title III, § 321, Dec. 1, 1990, 104 Stat. 5117.)
(Pub.L. 97-79, § 7, Nov. 16, 1981, 95 Stat. 1078; Pub.L. 110-234, Title VIII, § 8204(e), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1294; Pub.L. 110-246, Title VIII, § 8204(e), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 2056.)
(b) Activities regulated by Tuna Convention Acts; harvesting of highly migratory species taken on high seas
The provisions of paragraphs (1), (2) (A), and (3) (A) of section 3372(a) of this title shall not apply to--
(1) any activity regulated by the Tuna Conventions Act of 1950 (16 U.S.C. 951-961) or the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act of 1975 (16 U.S.C. 971- 971(h)); or
(2) any activity involving the harvesting of highly migratory species (as defined in paragraph (14) of section 3 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act [16 U.S.C.A. § 1802(14) ] ) taken on the high seas (as defined in paragraph (13) of such section 3) if such species are taken in violation of the laws of a foreign nation and the United States does not recognize the jurisdiction of the foreign nation over such species.
(Pub.L. 97-79, § 8, Nov. 16, 1981, 95 Stat. 1078; Pub.L. 104-208, Div. A, Title I, § 101(a) [Title II, § 211(b)], Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009-41.)
(a) Effect on powers of States
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent the several States or Indian tribes from making or enforcing laws or regulations not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter.
(2) Section 667e of this title and sections 43 and 44 of Title 18 (commonly known as provisions of the Lacey Act).
(3) Sections 3054 and 3112 of Title 18.
(1) repealing, superseding, or modifying any provision of Federal law other than those specified in subsection (b) of this section;
(2) repealing, superseding, or modifying any right, privilege, or immunity granted, reserved, or established pursuant to treaty, statute, or executive order pertaining to any Indian tribe, band, or community;
(d) Travel and transportation expenses
The Secretary of the Interior is authorized to pay from agency appropriations the travel expense of newly appointed special agents of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the transportation expense of household goods and personal effects from place of residence at time of selection to first duty station to the extent authorized by section 5724 of Title 5 for all such special agents appointed after January 1, 1977.
(e) Interior appropriations budget proposal
The Secretary shall identify the funds utilized to enforce this chapter and any regulations thereto as a specific appropriations item in the Department of the Interior appropriations budget proposal to the Congress.
(Pub.L. 97-79, § 9(a)-(c), (g), (h), Nov. 16, 1981, 95 Stat. 1079, 1080.)