Managed relocation, the intentional repopulation of members of a species to a new region outside its native range, is not only being considered but already being implemented as a strategy for adapting natural resource management to climate change.  I explore the legal and ethical implications of such a practice.  In particular, some of the questions to be considered are:

-         When is managed relocation permissible under existing law? 

-         When can or should managed relocation be undertaken, and who should do it?

-         What would/should the goals of managed relocation be?

-         What are the implications of managed relocation to existing natural resource governance?

-         What should an organic legal framework allowing it need to consider?

Results/Conclusions

Legislators and natural resource managers and regulators have failed to consider the implications of managed relocation and other possible adaptation strategies.  To manage the substantial uncertainty that exists both regarding climate change’s effects and the efficacy of management strategies (such as translocation) to manage these effects, policy-makers need to develop an infrastructure that not only monitors effects but also evaluates the performance of management strategies in furthering resource program goals.