There is strong and increasing evidence the Endangered Species Act is causing widespread harm to the species it is supposed to protect-to the extent the Act may be doing more harm than good. The Act makes otherwise normal and legal forms of land and resource use illegal, such as farming, home building and cutting timber. The Endangered Species Act’s severe penalties-$100,000 and/or 1 year in jail for harming a single species or even unoccupied habitat that is deemed suitable-turn species in to liabilities. As a result, landowners seek to reduce their liabilities in a number of ways.
