The Endangered Species Act: A Loophole for Destruction The Trump administration's reinterpretation of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) has sparked outrage among environmentalists and scientists, who warn that it will lead to increased harm to protected species.
Under a new directive sent to U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service employees, imperiled animals or plants must be intentionally targeted for their killing to be considered illegal.
This shift in policy is a stark departure from the past practice of holding people liable even for accidentally harming protected species. Industry lobbyists and Republican lawmakers have long sought to weaken the ESA.