Orlando Daytona Beach Melbourne, FL, September 17, 2026 — The Trump administration has issued a reinterpretation of the Endangered Species Act, altering the criteria under which the accidental killing of protected species will be considered illegal. Under the new directive from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the definition of “harm” has been narrowed to specifically require intentional targeting of endangered or threatened animals for an action to be deemed unlawful.

This reinterpretation means that the inadvertent killing of endangered species, which can occur during routine activities such as logging or construction projects, will no longer be automatically classified as illegal under the Act. Previously, actions that resulted in harm to endangered species, even if unintentional, could be subject to legal enforcement.

The directive indicates a shift in how the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will assess violations. The previous understanding often encompassed a broader scope of impact, where actions causing significant harm, regardless of intent, could lead to penalties. The revised policy requires a higher threshold, focusing on deliberate actions against protected wildlife.

The specific details of the directive were outlined by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The change aims to redefine what constitutes an unlawful act concerning the incidental take of species listed under the Endangered Species Act. This move could potentially affect how environmental regulations are applied to various industries engaged in activities that might impact wildlife habitats or populations.


Story summarized from the original created by Matthew Brown, Associated Press on www.clickorlando.com, see more information here.

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