Finding Another Link in the Chain: International Treaties and Devolution to Local Law Enforcement in the Case of the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species

Abstract

Research on the Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species ("CITES") has covered the connections between the treaty and local enforcement, and includes calls for devolution of authority to local actors. Despite this, it is not clear that devolution has occurred, especially as CITES is implemented via the United States Endangered Species Act ("ESA"). In response, this Article investigates the current state of enforcement in the U.S. and finds that there is questionable devolution in the CITES-ESA context, producing implementation issues. This Article provides recommendations that may mitigate those issues through greater devolution of authority.