U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Issues Directive Limiting Endangered Species Protections

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director, Brian Nesvik, issued a directive that expands a recent rollback of endangered species protections. The memo states that individuals and industries may kill endangered animals during logging projects, developments, and other activities, provided the activity’s purpose is not killing the species. This move is described as the most drastic action to limit the scope of the Endangered Species Act under the Trump administration.

The directive significantly alters the application of the nation’s primary wildlife conservation law. Critics say the new federal guidelines offer few safeguards for species, potentially rendering the law meaningless regarding protections. The change impacts how resource extraction and development projects operate under federal guidelines.