This document is intended to provide guidance on the development,management, and use of recovery credits as a measure for mitigating adverse effects to and contributions to the recovery of species listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973,as amended (ESA). The guidance should assist Service personnel in
determining the applicability of recovery credits for the conservation needs of a species, fulfill the purposes of the ESA, and provide consistency in the establishment, management, and use of recovery
credits. For more detailed guidance and information on various other recovery programs, we included a list of helpful documents in section VII of this guidance.
