16 U.S.C. § 1539 — Exceptions

Page 1937 TITLE 16—CONSERVATION § 1539 1 See References in Text note below. Executive Documents TERRITORIAL SEA OF UNITED STATES For extension of territorial sea of United States, see Proc. No. 5928, set out as a note under section 1331 of Title 43, Public Lands. § 1539. Exceptions (a) Permits (1) The Secretary may permit, under such terms and conditions as he shall prescribe— (A) any act otherwise prohibited by section 1538 of this title for scientific purposes or to enhance the propagation or survival of the af- fected species, including, but not limited to, acts necessary for the establishment and maintenance of experimental populations pur- suant to subsection (j); or (B) any taking otherwise prohibited by sec- tion 1538(a)(1)(B) of this title if such taking is incidental to, and not the purpose of, the car- rying out of an otherwise lawful activity. (2)(A) No permit may be issued by the Sec- retary authorizing any taking referred to in paragraph (1)(B) unless the applicant therefor submits to the Secretary a conservation plan that specifies— (i) the impact which will likely result from such taking; (ii) what steps the applicant will take to minimize and mitigate such impacts, and the funding that will be available to implement such steps; (iii) what alternative actions to such taking the applicant considered and the reasons why such alternatives are not being utilized; and (iv) such other measures that the Secretary may require as being necessary or appropriate for purposes of the plan. (B) If the Secretary finds, after opportunity for public comment, with respect to a permit ap- plication and the related conservation plan that— (i) the taking will be incidental; (ii) the applicant will, to the maximum ex- tent practicable, minimize and mitigate the impacts of such taking; (iii) the applicant will ensure that adequate funding for the plan will be provided; (iv) the taking will not appreciably reduce the likelihood of the survival and recovery of the species in the wild; and (v) the measures, if any, required under sub- paragraph (A)(iv) will be met; and he has received such other assurances as he may require that the plan will be implemented, the Secretary shall issue the permit. The permit shall contain such terms and conditions as the Secretary deems necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of this paragraph, includ- ing, but not limited to, such reporting require- ments as the Secretary deems necessary for de- termining whether such terms and conditions are being complied with. (C) The Secretary shall revoke a permit issued under this paragraph if he finds that the per- mittee is not complying with the terms and con- ditions of the permit. (b) Hardship exemptions (1) If any person enters into a contract with respect to a species of fish or wildlife or plant before the date of the publication in the Federal Register of notice of consideration of that spe- cies as an endangered species and the subse- quent listing of that species as an endangered species pursuant to section 1533 of this title will cause undue economic hardship to such person under the contract, the Secretary, in order to minimize such hardship, may exempt such per- son from the application of section 1538(a) of this title to the extent the Secretary deems ap- propriate if such person applies to him for such exemption and includes with such application such information as the Secretary may require to prove such hardship; except that (A) no such exemption shall be for a duration of more than one year from the date of publication in the Federal Register of notice of consideration of the species concerned, or shall apply to a quan- tity of fish or wildlife or plants in excess of that specified by the Secretary; (B) the one-year pe- riod for those species of fish or wildlife listed by the Secretary as endangered prior to December 28, 1973, shall expire in accordance with the terms of section 668cc–3 1 of this title; and (C) no such exemption may be granted for the importa- tion or exportation of a specimen listed in Ap- pendix I of the Convention which is to be used in a commercial activity. (2) As used in this subsection, the term ‘‘undue economic hardship’’ shall include, but not be limited to: (A) substantial economic loss resulting from inability caused by this chapter to perform contracts with respect to species of fish and wildlife entered into prior to the date of publi- cation in the Federal Register of a notice of consideration of such species as an endangered species; (B) substantial economic loss to persons who, for the year prior to the notice of consid- eration of such species as an endangered spe- cies, derived a substantial portion of their in- come from the lawful taking of any listed spe- cies, which taking would be made unlawful under this chapter; or (C) curtailment of subsistence taking made unlawful under this chapter by persons (i) not reasonably able to secure other sources of sub- sistence; and (ii) dependent to a substantial extent upon hunting and fishing for subsist- ence; and (iii) who must engage in such cur- tailed taking for subsistence purposes. (3) The Secretary may make further require- ments for a showing of undue economic hardship as he deems fit. Exceptions granted under this section may be limited by the Secretary in his discretion as to time, area, or other factor of ap- plicability. (c) Notice and review The Secretary shall publish notice in the Fed- eral Register of each application for an exemp- tion or permit which is made under this section. Each notice shall invite the submission from in- terested parties, within thirty days after the date of the notice, of written data, views, or ar- guments with respect to the application; except that such thirty-day period may be waived by the Secretary in an emergency situation where Page 1938 TITLE 16—CONSERVATION § 1539 the health or life of an endangered animal is threatened and no reasonable alternative is available to the applicant, but notice of any such waiver shall be published by the Secretary in the Federal Register within ten days fol- lowing the issuance of the exemption or permit. Information received by the Secretary as a part of any application shall be available to the pub- lic as a matter of public record at every stage of the proceeding. (d) Permit and exemption policy The Secretary may grant exceptions under subsections (a)(1)(A) and (b) of this section only if he finds and publishes his finding in the Fed- eral Register that (1) such exceptions were ap- plied for in good faith, (2) if granted and exer- cised will not operate to the disadvantage of such endangered species, and (3) will be con- sistent with the purposes and policy set forth in section 1531 of this title. (e) Alaska natives (1) Except as provided in paragraph (4) of this subsection the provisions of this chapter shall not apply with respect to the taking of any en- dangered species or threatened species, or the importation of any such species taken pursuant to this section, by— (A) any Indian, Aleut, or Eskimo who is an Alaskan Native who resides in Alaska; or (B) any non-native permanent resident of an Alaskan native village; if such taking is primarily for subsistence pur- poses. Non-edible byproducts of species taken pursuant to this section may be sold in inter- state commerce when made into authentic na- tive articles of handicrafts and clothing; except that the provisions of this subsection shall not apply to any non-native resident of an Alaskan native village found by the Secretary to be not primarily dependent upon the taking of fish and wildlife for consumption or for the creation and sale of authentic native articles of handicrafts and clothing. (2) Any taking under this subsection may not be accomplished in a wasteful manner. (3) As used in this subsection— (i) The term ‘‘subsistence’’ includes selling any edible portion of fish or wildlife in native villages and towns in Alaska for native con- sumption within native villages or towns; and (ii) The term ‘‘authentic native articles of handicrafts and clothing’’ means items com- posed wholly or in some significant respect of natural materials, and which are produced, decorated, or fashioned in the exercise of tra- ditional native handicrafts without the use of pantographs, multiple carvers, or other mass copying devices. Traditional native handi- crafts include, but are not limited to, weaving, carving, stitching, sewing, lacing, beading, drawing, and painting. (4) Notwithstanding the provisions of para- graph (1) of this subsection, whenever the Sec- retary determines that any species of fish or wildlife which is subject to taking under the provisions of this subsection is an endangered species or threatened species, and that such tak- ing materially and negatively affects the threat- ened or endangered species, he may prescribe regulations upon the taking of such species by any such Indian, Aleut, Eskimo, or non-Native Alaskan resident of an Alaskan native village. Such regulations may be established with ref- erence to species, geographical description of the area included, the season for taking, or any other factors related to the reason for estab- lishing such regulations and consistent with the policy of this chapter. Such regulations shall be prescribed after a notice and hearings in the af- fected judicial districts of Alaska and as other- wise required by section 1373 of this title, and shall be removed as soon as the Secretary deter- mines that the need for their impositions has disappeared. (f) Pre-Act endangered species parts exemption; application and certification; regulation; va- lidity of sales contract; separability; renewal of exemption; expiration of renewal certifi- cation (1) As used in this subsection— (A) The term ‘‘pre-Act endangered species part’’ means— (i) any sperm whale oil, including deriva- tives thereof, which was lawfully held within the United States on December 28, 1973, in the course of a commercial activity; or (ii) any finished scrimshaw product, if such product or the raw material for such product was lawfully held within the United States on December 28, 1973, in the course of a commercial activity. (B) The term ‘‘scrimshaw product’’ means any art form which involves the substantial etching or engraving of designs upon, or the substantial carving of figures, patterns, or de- signs from, any bone or tooth of any marine mammal of the order Cetacea. For purposes of this subsection, polishing or the adding of minor superficial markings does not con- stitute substantial etching, engraving, or carving. (2) The Secretary, pursuant to the provisions of this subsection, may exempt, if such exemp- tion is not in violation of the Convention, any pre-Act endangered species part from one or more of the following prohibitions: (A) The prohibition on exportation from the United States set forth in section 1538(a)(1)(A) of this title. (B) Any prohibition set forth in section 1538(a)(1)(E) or (F) of this title. (3) Any person seeking an exemption described in paragraph (2) of this subsection shall make application therefor to the Secretary in such form and manner as he shall prescribe, but no such application may be considered by the Sec- retary unless the application— (A) is received by the Secretary before the close of the one-year period beginning on the date on which regulations promulgated by the Secretary to carry out this subsection first take effect; (B) contains a complete and detailed inven- tory of all pre-Act endangered species parts for which the applicant seeks exemption; (C) is accompanied by such documentation as the Secretary may require to prove that any endangered species part or product Page 1939 TITLE 16—CONSERVATION § 1539 2 So in original. No cl. (ii) has been enacted. claimed by the applicant to be a pre-Act en- dangered species part is in fact such a part; and (D) contains such other information as the Secretary deems necessary and appropriate to carry out the purposes of this subsection. (4) If the Secretary approves any application for exemption made under this subsection, he shall issue to the applicant a certificate of ex- emption which shall specify— (A) any prohibition in section 1538(a) of this title which is exempted; (B) the pre-Act endangered species parts to which the exemption applies; (C) the period of time during which the ex- emption is in effect, but no exemption made under this subsection shall have force and ef- fect after the close of the three-year period be- ginning on the date of issuance of the certifi- cate unless such exemption is renewed under paragraph (8); and (D) any term or condition prescribed pursu- ant to paragraph (5)(A) or (B), or both, which the Secretary deems necessary or appropriate. (5) The Secretary shall prescribe such regula- tions as he deems necessary and appropriate to carry out the purposes of this subsection. Such regulations may set forth— (A) terms and conditions which may be im- posed on applicants for exemptions under this subsection (including, but not limited to, re- quirements that applicants register inven- tories, keep complete sales records, permit duly authorized agents of the Secretary to in- spect such inventories and records, and peri- odically file appropriate reports with the Sec- retary); and (B) terms and conditions which may be im- posed on any subsequent purchaser of any pre- Act endangered species part covered by an ex- emption granted under this subsection; to insure that any such part so exempted is ade- quately accounted for and not disposed of con- trary to the provisions of this chapter. No regu- lation prescribed by the Secretary to carry out the purposes of this subsection shall be subject to section 1533(f)(2)(A)(i) of this title. (6)(A) Any contract for the sale of pre-Act en- dangered species parts which is entered into by the Administrator of General Services prior to the effective date of this subsection and pursu- ant to the notice published in the Federal Reg- ister on January 9, 1973, shall not be rendered in- valid by virtue of the fact that fulfillment of such contract may be prohibited under section 1538(a)(1)(F) of this title. (B) In the event that this paragraph is held in- valid, the validity of the remainder of this chap- ter, including the remainder of this subsection, shall not be affected. (7) Nothing in this subsection shall be con- strued to— (A) exonerate any person from any act com- mitted in violation of paragraphs (1)(A), (1)(E), or (1)(F) of section 1538(a) of this title prior to July 12, 1976; or (B) immunize any person from prosecution for any such act. (8)(A)(i) 2 Any valid certificate of exemption which was renewed after October 13, 1982, and was in effect on March 31, 1988, shall be deemed to be renewed for a six-month period beginning on October 7, 1988. Any person holding such a certificate may apply to the Secretary for one additional renewal of such certificate for a pe- riod not to exceed 5 years beginning on October 7, 1988. (B) If the Secretary approves any application for renewal of an exemption under this para- graph, he shall issue to the applicant a certifi- cate of renewal of such exemption which shall provide that all terms, conditions, prohibitions, and other regulations made applicable by the previous certificate shall remain in effect during the period of the renewal. (C) No exemption or renewal of such exemp- tion made under this subsection shall have force and effect after the expiration date of the cer- tificate of renewal of such exemption issued under this paragraph. (D) No person may, after January 31, 1984, sell or offer for sale in interstate or foreign com- merce, any pre-Act finished scrimshaw product unless such person holds a valid certificate of exemption issued by the Secretary under this subsection, and unless such product or the raw material for such product was held by such per- son on October 13, 1982. (g) Burden of proof In connection with any action alleging a viola- tion of section 1538 of this title, any person claiming the benefit of any exemption or permit under this chapter shall have the burden of prov- ing that the exemption or permit is applicable, has been granted, and was valid and in force at the time of the alleged violation. (h) Certain antique articles; importation; port designation; application for return of articles (1) Sections 1533(d) and 1538(a) and (c) of this title do not apply to any article which— (A) is not less than 100 years of age; (B) is composed in whole or in part of any endangered species or threatened species listed under section 1533 of this title; (C) has not been repaired or modified with any part of any such species on or after De- cember 28, 1973; and (D) is entered at a port designated under paragraph (3). (2) Any person who wishes to import an article under the exception provided by this subsection shall submit to the customs officer concerned at the time of entry of the article such documenta- tion as the Secretary of the Treasury, after con- sultation with the Secretary of the Interior, shall by regulation require as being necessary to establish that the article meets the require- ments set forth in paragraph (1)(A), (B), and (C). (3) The Secretary of the Treasury, after con- sultation with the Secretary of the Interior, shall designate one port within each customs re- gion at which articles described in paragraph (1)(A), (B), and (C) must be entered into the cus- toms territory of the United States. (4) Any person who imported, after December 27, 1973, and on or before November 10, 1978, any article described in paragraph (1) which— Page 1940 TITLE 16—CONSERVATION § 1539 (A) was not repaired or modified after the date of importation with any part of any en- dangered species or threatened species listed under section 1533 of this title; (B) was forfeited to the United States before November 10, 1978, or is subject to forfeiture to the United States on such date of enactment, pursuant to the assessment of a civil penalty under section 1540 of this title; and (C) is in the custody of the United States on November 10, 1978; may, before the close of the one-year period be- ginning on November 10, 1978, make application to the Secretary for return of the article. Appli- cation shall be made in such form and manner, and contain such documentation, as the Sec- retary prescribes. If on the basis of any such ap- plication which is timely filed, the Secretary is satisfied that the requirements of this para- graph are met with respect to the article con- cerned, the Secretary shall return the article to the applicant and the importation of such arti- cle shall, on and after the date of return, be deemed to be a lawful importation under this chapter. (i) Noncommercial transshipments Any importation into the United States of fish or wildlife shall, if— (1) such fish or wildlife was lawfully taken and exported from the country of origin and country of reexport, if any; (2) such fish or wildlife is in transit or trans- shipment through any place subject to the ju- risdiction of the United States en route to a country where such fish or wildlife may be lawfully imported and received; (3) the exporter or owner of such fish or wild- life gave explicit instructions not to ship such fish or wildlife through any place subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, or did all that could have reasonably been done to pre- vent transshipment, and the circumstances leading to the transshipment were beyond the exporter’s or owner’s control; (4) the applicable requirements of the Con- vention have been satisfied; and (5) such importation is not made in the course of a commercial activity, be an importation not in violation of any provi- sion of this chapter or any regulation issued pursuant to this chapter while such fish or wild- life remains in the control of the United States Customs Service. (j) Experimental populations (1) For purposes of this subsection, the term ‘‘experimental population’’ means any popu- lation (including any offspring arising solely therefrom) authorized by the Secretary for re- lease under paragraph (2), but only when, and at such times as, the population is wholly separate geographically from nonexperimental popu- lations of the same species. (2)(A) The Secretary may authorize the release (and the related transportation) of any popu- lation (including eggs, propagules, or individ- uals) of an endangered species or a threatened species outside the current range of such species if the Secretary determines that such release will further the conservation of such species. (B) Before authorizing the release of any popu- lation under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall by regulation identify the population and determine, on the basis of the best available in- formation, whether or not such population is es- sential to the continued existence of an endan- gered species or a threatened species. (C) For the purposes of this chapter, each member of an experimental population shall be treated as a threatened species; except that— (i) solely for purposes of section 1536 of this title (other than subsection (a)(1) thereof), an experimental population determined under subparagraph (B) to be not essential to the continued existence of a species shall be treat- ed, except when it occurs in an area within the National Wildlife Refuge System or the Na- tional Park System, as a species proposed to be listed under section 1533 of this title; and (ii) critical habitat shall not be designated under this chapter for any experimental popu- lation determined under subparagraph (B) to be not essential to the continued existence of a species. (3) The Secretary, with respect to populations of endangered species or threatened species that the Secretary authorized, before October 13, 1982, for release in geographical areas separate from the other populations of such species, shall determine by regulation which of such popu- lations are an experimental population for the purposes of this subsection and whether or not each is essential to the continued existence of an endangered species or a threatened species. (Pub. L. 93–205, § 10, Dec. 28, 1973, 87 Stat. 896; Pub. L. 94–359, §§ 2, 3, July 12, 1976, 90 Stat. 911, 912; Pub. L. 95–632, § 5, Nov. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 3760; Pub. L. 96–159, § 7, Dec. 28, 1979, 93 Stat. 1230; Pub. L. 97–304, § 6(1)–(4)(A), (5), (6), Oct. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 1422–1424; Pub. L. 100–478, title I, §§ 1011, 1013(b), (c), Oct. 7, 1988, 102 Stat. 2314, 2315.) Editorial Notes REFERENCES IN TEXT This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original ‘‘this Act’’, except for ‘‘the Act’’ in subsec. (f)(6)(B), meaning Pub. L. 93–205, Dec. 28, 1973, 81 Stat. 884, known as the Endangered Species Act of 1973, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1531 of this title and Tables. Section 668cc–3 of this title, referred to in subsec. (b), was repealed by Pub. L. 93–205, § 14, Dec. 28, 1973, 87 Stat. 903. Subsec. (f) of section 1533 of this title, referred to in subsec. (f)(5), which related to promulgation of regula- tions by the Secretary was struck out, and subsec. (g) of section 1533 of this title, was redesignated as subsec. (f), by Pub. L. 97–304, § 2(a)(4)(B), (C), Oct. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 1415. For provisions relating to promulgation of regulations, see subsecs. (b) and (h) of section 1533 of this title. Effective date of this subsection, referred to in sub- sec. (f)(6)(A), probably means the date of enactment of subsec. (f) by section 2 of Pub. L. 94–359, July 12, 1976. October 7, 1988, referred to in subsec. (f)(8)(A), was in the original ‘‘the date of enactment of the Endangered Species Act Amendments of 1988’’ and ‘‘the date of such enactment’’ which were translated as meaning the date of enactment of title I of Pub. L. 100–478 which is enti- tled ‘‘Endangered Species Act Amendments of 1988’’ and which was approved Oct. 7, 1988. Page 1941 TITLE 16—CONSERVATION § 1540 AMENDMENTS 1988—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 100–478, § 1013(b), substituted ‘‘notice, of’’ for ‘‘notice,’’ in second sentence. Subsec. (e)(3)(ii). Pub. L. 100–478, § 1013(c), substituted ‘‘lacing,’’ for ‘‘lacking,’’. Subsec. (f)(8)(A). Pub. L. 100–478, § 1011(a), amended subpar. (A) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (A) read as follows: ‘‘Any person to whom a certificate of exemption has been issued under paragraph (4) of this subsection may apply to the Secretary for a renewal of such exemption for a period not to exceed three years beginning on the expiration date of such certificate. Such application shall be made in the same manner as the application for exemption was made under para- graph (3), but without regard to subparagraph (A) of such paragraph.’’ Subsec. (f)(8)(B). Pub. L. 100–478, § 1011(b), substituted ‘‘previous’’ for ‘‘original’’. Subsec. (f)(8)(D). Pub. L. 100–478, § 1011(c), added sub- par. (D). Subsec. (f)(9). Pub. L. 100–478, § 1011(d), struck out par. (9) which provided for comprehensive review by Sec- retary of effectiveness of regulations prescribed pursu- ant to subsec. (f)(5) of this section. 1982—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 97–304, § 6(1), designated as par. (1) and the beginning phrase of subpar. (A) thereof the existing provisions consisting of language author- izing the Secretary to permit, under such terms and conditions as he may prescribe, any act otherwise pro- hibited by section 1538 of this title for scientific pur- poses or to enhance the propagation or survival of the affected species, and inserted remainder of par. (1)(A) and pars. (1)(B) and (2). Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 97–304, § 6(2), substituted ‘‘sub- sections (a)(1)(A) and (b) of this section’’ for ‘‘sub- sections (a) and (b) of this section’’. Subsec. (f)(1)(B). Pub. L. 97–304, § 6(3)(A), substituted ‘‘involves the substantial etching or engraving of de- signs upon, or the substantial carving of figures’’ for ‘‘involves the etching or engraving of designs upon, or the carving of figures’’ and inserted provision that, for purposes of this subsection, polishing or the adding of minor superficial markings does not constitute sub- stantial etching, engraving, or carving. Subsec. (f)(9). Pub. L. 97–304, § 6(3)(B), added par. (9). Subsec. (h)(1). Pub. L. 97–304, § 6(4)(A), struck out ‘‘(other than scrimshaw)’’ after ‘‘do not apply to any article’’ in provisions preceding subpar. (A) and in sub- par. (A) substituted ‘‘is not less than 100 years of age’’ for ‘‘was made before 1830’’. Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 97–304, § 6(5), substituted provi- sions covering noncommercial transshipments of fish or wildlife for provisions that had related to exemp- tions from the provisions of this title of the Tellico Dam and Reservoir Project and the Grayrocks Dam and Reservoir Project and to the operation of the Missouri Basin Power Project. Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 97–304, § 6(6), added subsec. (j). 1979—Subsec. (f)(4)(C). Pub. L. 96–159, § 7(1), inserted ‘‘unless such exemption is renewed under paragraph (8)’’ after ‘‘issuance of the certificate’’. Subsec. (f)(8). Pub. L. 96–159, § 7(2), added par. (8). 1978—Subsecs. (h), (i). Pub. L. 95–632 added subsecs. (h) and (i). 1976—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 94–359, § 3, substituted ‘‘sec- tion’’ for ‘‘subsection’’ and inserted ‘‘; except that such thirty-day period may be waived by the Secretary in an emergency situation where the health or life of an en- dangered animal is threatened and no reasonable alter- native is available to the applicant, but notice of any such waiver shall be published by the Secretary in the Federal Register within ten days following the issuance of the exemption or permit.’’ after ‘‘every stage of the proceeding’’. Subsecs. (f), (g). Pub. L. 94–359, § 2, added subsecs. (f) and (g). Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1982 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 97–304, § 6(4)(B), Oct. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 1424, pro- vided that: ‘‘The amendment made by subparagraph (A) [amending this section] shall take effect January 1, 1981.’’ TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS For transfer of functions, personnel, assets, and li- abilities of the United States Customs Service of the Department of the Treasury, including functions of the Secretary of the Treasury relating thereto, to the Sec- retary of Homeland Security, and for treatment of re- lated references, see sections 203(1), 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of Novem- ber 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6. For establishment of U.S. Customs and Border Protection in the Department of Homeland Se- curity, treated as if included in Pub. L. 107–296 as of Nov. 25, 2002, see section 211 of Title 6, as amended gen- erally by Pub. L. 114–125, and section 802(b) of Pub. L. 114–125, set out as a note under section 211 of Title 6. SCRIMSHAW EXEMPTIONS Pub. L. 103–238, § 18, Apr. 30, 1994, 108 Stat. 559, pro- vided that: ‘‘Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any valid certificate of exemption renewed by the Secretary (or deemed to be renewed) under section 10(f)(8) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1539(f)(8)) for any person holding such a certificate with respect to the possession of pre-Act finished scrimshaw products or raw material for such products shall re- main valid for a period not to exceed 5 years beginning on the date of enactment of this Act [Apr. 30, 1994].’’ § 1540. Penalties and enforcement (a) Civil penalties (1) Any person who knowingly violates, and any person engaged in business as an importer or exporter of fish, wildlife, or plants who vio- lates, any provision of this chapter, or any pro- vision of any permit or certificate issued here- under, or of any regulation issued in order to implement subsection (a)(1)(A), (B), (C), (D), (E), or (F), (a)(2)(A), (B), (C), or (D), (c), (d) (other than regulation relating to recordkeeping or fil- ing of reports), (f) or (g) of section 1538 of this title, may be assessed a civil penalty by the Sec- retary of not more than $25,000 for each viola- tion. Any person who knowingly violates, and any person engaged in business as an importer or exporter of fish, wildlife, or plants who vio- lates, any provision of any other regulation issued under this chapter may be assessed a civil penalty by the Secretary of not more than $12,000 for each such violation. Any person who otherwise violates any provision of this chapter, or any regulation, permit, or certificate issued hereunder, may be assessed a civil penalty by the Secretary of not more than $500 for each such violation. No penalty may be assessed under this subsection unless such person is given notice and opportunity for a hearing with re- spect to such violation. Each violation shall be a separate offense. Any such civil penalty may be remitted or mitigated by the Secretary. Upon any failure to pay a penalty assessed under this subsection, the Secretary may request the At- torney General to institute a civil action in a district court of the United States for any dis- trict in which such person is found, resides, or transacts business to collect the penalty and such court shall have jurisdiction to hear and decide any such action. The court shall hear such action on the record made before the Sec- retary and shall sustain his action if it is sup-