The ESA uses the term: “foreseeable future”; what is this?
The ESA does not define “foreseeable future.” In other ESA listings, it has often been interpreted to be a function of generations of the species in question and/or habitat regeneration cycles. In this status review, based on the opinion of polar bear experts, the Service has adopted three generations as the upper limit. Using this measure, since a polar bear generation is defined as 15 years, the “foreseeable future” addresses the next 45 years.
