Killing endangered wildlife is legal if they aren’t the target, new Trump rule says
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Killing endangered animals while logging a forest or building a dam would not be considered illegal unless the animals were specifically targeted, under a new interpretation of the Endangered Species Act by President Donald Trump's administration that marks a sea change in how the landmark environmental law is enforced.
Under a new interpretation of the Endangered Species Act by President Donald Trump's administration, killing endangered animals would not be considered illegal unless the animals were specifically targeted during activities like logging or dam construction. This marks a significant shift from the traditional enforcement of the landmark environmental law.
The directive, issued to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employees, maintains that protected species can only be considered harmed if they are intentionally targeted. This change, hailed as a "huge loophole" by former Fish and Wildlife director Dan Ashe, could allow industries to carry out activities that may harm endangered species without consequences.
Experts warn that the shift could open the door to increased extinctions and habitat destruction, contradicting the spirit of the Endangered Species Act.
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