Endangered Species Lose Protections in Latest Trump Rollback The Trump administration has launched another assault on environmental regulations, this time targeting the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
A September 14 memo from Fish and Wildlife Service director Brian Nesvik redefines "take" under the ESA, exempting economic activities like logging, mining, and industrial development from prohibitions on harming or killing endangered animals.
The reinterpretation hinges on a distinction between intentional harm and incidental damage. According to the memo, an action is only considered a "take" if it was specifically intended to cause harm or death.