Fines for harming endangered species just got more expensive
What happened
The US Fish and Wildlife Service has increased the civil penalties for violating laws meant to protect wildlife. This means that individuals and companies caught harming endangered species or their habitats will pay higher fines.
Why it matters
Every year, the US government adjusts civil penalties for inflation. These adjustments mean that the cost of breaking environmental laws steadily increases, making violations more expensive over time. This continuous increase aims to keep penalties a deterrent, even as the value of money changes.
The signal
Watch for any public reports on the total amount of fines collected by the Fish and Wildlife Service in the next year, and whether the number of violations changes.