Trump administration allows inadvertent killing of endangered species

The Trump administration has introduced a new interpretation of the Endangered Species Act under which the inadvertent killing of endangered animals during activities such as logging forests or building dams will no longer be considered illegal. According to federal officials, the change dictates that killing such animals is only unlawful if the species are specifically targeted.

This policy shift, originating from Billings, Montana, represents a significant departure from previous regulatory enforcement. The modification alters how the Endangered Species Act is applied to industrial and commercial activities that may result in collateral harm to protected wildlife.